The electrochemical and structural characteristics of the metal oxide-coated spinet were investigated in the range of 2.5-4.2 V. Metal oxide coating, on commercial spinet powder (LiMn2-xMxO4, M = Zr, Nikki, Japan) was carried out using the sol-gel method. Al2O3/(PtOx or CuOx)-coated spinet exhibited improved cyclability compared to bare spinet. Impedance analysis results indicated that electrochemical resistance value was not consistent with cycle performance. The improved cycle performance of metal oxide-coated spinet may be due to formation of a new Li2Mn4O9, Li2MnO3 phase, which is expected to have stability to phase transition (Jahn-Teller distortion). (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.