Various lithium salts including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium acetate and lithium citrate were used as secondary lithium sources for the synthesis of lithium iron phosphate/carbon composites with cheap iron sources in the form of Fe and FePO4. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and constant-current charge-discharge tests. The results showed that lithium carbonate derived product generated a high purity LiFePO4 phase with high tap densities. Furthermore, satisfactory electrochemical performance with an initial discharge capacity of 146.1 mAh g(-1) at 0.5 C rate and good capacity retention of 95.2% after 50 cycles were achieved. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.