Nano-sized hollow spindle LiMnPO4 with a well-developed olivine-type structure was synthesized with the assistance of glucose in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/H2O under ambient pressure and 108 degrees C. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images show that the LiMnPO4 particles consist of hollow spindles with a mean width of 200 nm, length of 500-700 nm, and wall thickness of about 30-60 nm. The LiMnPO4/C nanocomposite was obtained by sintering nano-sized LiMnPO4 with glucose at 650 degrees C under an inert atmosphere for 4 h. With a coated carbon thickness of about 10 nm, the obtained composite maintained the morphology and size of the hollow spindle. The electrochemical tests show the specific capacity of LiMnPO4/C nanocomposite is 161.8 mAh g(-1) at 0.05C, 137.7 mAh g(-1) at 0.1C and 110.8 mAh g(-1) at 0.2 C. The retention of discharge capacity maintains 92% after 100 cycles at 0.2 C. After different rate cycles the high capacity of the LiMnPO4/C nanocomposite can be recovered. This high performance is attributed to the composite material's hollow spindle structure, which facilitates the electrolyte infiltration, resulting in an increased solid-liquid interface. The carbon layer covering the hollow spindle also contributes to the high performance of the LiMnPO4/C material as the carbon layer improves its electronic conductivity and the nano-scaled wall thickness decreases the paths of Li deintercalation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.