Carbon black (CB) and vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) are used as conductive additives for the Li1.18Co0.15Ni0.15Mn0.52O2 electrodes for Li-ion batteries. The fibrous VGCFs can bridge the isolated Li1.18Co0.15Ni0.15Mn0.52O2 regions, thus construct an effective conductive network for electron transport. In addition, incorporation of CB and VGCFs can improve the electrochemical kinetics of the cathode material by retarding the harmful side reactions, promoting the charge transfer reactions and increasing the apparent lithium diffusion coefficient. In all electrodes under investigation, the one prepared with 3 wt.% of VGCFs and 12 wt.% of CB shows the largest discharge capacity of 252 mAh g(-1) at the 0.2C rate with excellent capacity retention and rate capability. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.