A fast precipitation method is adopted for synthesis of nano-MnPO4 center dot H2O, with MnSO4 center dot H2O, H3PO4, NH4NO3 and NaOH as raw materials. MnPO4 center dot H2O precipitate is characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction) and SEM (scanning electron microscope). Fine-sized, well-crystallized, carbon-coated LiMnPO4/C nano-composites are obtained by using mechanochemical activation assisted carbothermal reduction route from as-prepared MnPO4 center dot H2O, Li2CO3 and PVA (polyvinyl alcohol). The effect of calcination temperature on the structure and properties of obtained materials is investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and electrochemical measurements. The in situ 6.8 wt% carbon coated LiMnPO4/C displays discharge specific capacity of 124 mAh g(-1) at 0.05 C rate and 108 mAh g(-1) at 1 Crate. The capacity retention is nearly 100% after 20 cycles at 1 Crate. This mechanochemical activation assisted precipitation technique is a facile approach for the fabrication of LiMnPO4 cathode materials. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.