Lithium trivanadate, LiV3O8, was synthesized using theological phase reaction method. First, the mixture of LiAc center dot 2H(2)O, NH3VO3, citric acid and a required amount of water reacted to form the theological precursor, then the precursor was heated at different temperatures in the range of 350-600 degrees C and the product LiV3O8 was obtained. Thermogravimetric (TG) was employed to analyze the precursor. The LiV3O8 product which was characterized by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated that LiV3O8 has been obtained by this novel synthesis method. The influence of the preparing conditions including sintering temperature on crystal structure and electrochemical performance has been investigated. As a result, the LiV3O8 obtained at 400 degrees C for 10 h has excellent electrochemical properties. At 20 degrees C, the first discharge of which was 272.9 mAh/g in the range of 1.8-4.0 V at 0.3 mA cm(-2). An inexpensive, simple and effective route to synthesis inorganic material was provided. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.