A film of LiMn2O4 with 3D macroporous structure was deposited on a substrate surface during gold codeposition. Fractal analysis of the LiMn2O4 suggested a 3D structure for the film deposited with a fractal dimension approaching 3. Battery performance of a lithium secondary cell employing the 3D LiMn2O4 cathode was investigated and compared with that of using a conventional LiMn2O4 cathode. The results indicated that the 3D cathode fabricated has higher capacity in comparison with the conventional cathode. It is due to the existence of higher surface area for lithium intercalation/deintercalation processes. Indeed, 3D structure of the electrode provides chance for the Li deintercalation in three directions. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.