Carbon-coated LiFePO4 (C-LiFePO4) with micron particle size (6 mu m) and high tap density (1.6 g cm(-3)) was prepared from spherical FePO4 center dot 2H(2)O powder via the co-precipitation method. The C-LiFePO4 powder was calcined at temperatures between 650 and 800 degrees C. The 6 mu m C-LiFePO4 prepared at 800 degrees C exhibited an excellent rate capability, delivering 150 mAh g(-1) on discharge at the 0.1 C-rate and 108 mAh g(-1) at the 5 C-rate. The volumetric capacity of the 6 pm C-LiFePO4 corresponded to 225 mAh cm(-3), since the large secondary particles (6 mu m) C-LiFePO4 Sufficiently allowed tight packing of the particles. The 6 mu m C-LiFePO4 powder with high tap density makes an attractive positive electrode candidate for lithium-ion batteries designed for high energy density. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.