Lithium trivanadate (LiV3O8) powders are prepared by spray pyrolysis. The precursor powders of LiV3O8 obtained by spray pyrolysis have spherical and rod-like morphologies. The LiV3O8 powders post-treated at 300 degrees C and 400 degrees C also have spherical and rod-like morphologies. However, the LiV3O8 cathode powders post-treated at 500 degrees C consist of only rod-like crystals. The crystalline structure of the precursor powders that were directly prepared by spray pyrolysis comprised of LiV3O8 layers along with a small amount of beta-Li0.33V2O5 impurity. The peak due to beta-Li0.33V2O5 persisted in the XRD spectrum even after post-treatment at 300 degrees C. On the other hand, crystalline structures of the powders post-treated at 400 degrees C and 500 degrees C comprised pure LiV3O8 layers. The initial discharge capacities of the LiV3O8 cathode powders decrease from 344 mAh g(-1) to 261 mAh g(-1) when the post-treatment temperatures increase from 300 degrees C to 500 degrees C. The discharge capacities of the LiV3O8 cathode powders obtained after post-treatment at 400 degrees C and 500 degrees C are approximately 255 mAh g(-1) and 236 mAh g(-1), respectively, after 40 cycles. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.