Layered Li[Ni0.5-xMn-.5-xZr2x]O-2 (x = 0, 0.025) have been prepared by the mixed hydroxide and molten-salt synthesis method. The individual particles of synthesized materials have a sub-microsize range of 200-500 nm, and LiNi0.475Mn0.475Zr0.05O2 has a rougher surface than that of LiNi0.5W0.5O2. The Li/Li[Ni0.5-xMn0.5-xZr2x]O-2 (x = 0, 0.025) electrodes were cycled between 4.5 and 2.0 V at a current density of 15 mA/g, the discharge capacity of both cells increased during the first ten cycles. The discharge capacity of the Li/LiNi0.475W0.475Zr0.05O2 cell increased from 150 to 220 mAh/g, which is 50 mAh/g larger than that of the Li/LiNi0.5W0.5O2 cell. We found that the oxidation of oxygen and the Mn3+ ion concerned this phenomenon from the cyclic voltammetry (CV). Thermal stability of the charged Li[Ni0.5-xMn0.5-xZr2x]O-2 (x = 0, 0.025) cathode was improved by Zr doping. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.