The influence of carbon black distribution/arrangement in cathode composite on cathode performance is studied using three types of active materials: LiMn2O2-spinel, LiCoO2, and LiFePO4. To the active materials, carbon black is added in two different ways: (a) using a conventional mixing procedure and (b) using a novel coating technology (NCT) invented in our laboratory. Different technologies yield different arrangement (distribution) of carbon black around active particles. It is shown that the uniformity of carbon black distribution affects significantly the cathode kinetics, regardless of the type of active particles used. A simple model explaining the influence of carbon black distribution on cathode kinetics is presented. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.