Todorokite-type MnO2-doped with Co and Fe has been synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of layered metal-doped manganese oxide, buserite, in water at 120-200 degrees C. The prepared todorokite products have been characterized by XRD and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (EDX) measurements, TEM observation and thermogravimetric analysis. These measurements showed that the hydrothermal products are the metal-doped todorokite phase having large (3 x 3) tunnel structure, and the chemical compositions are shown to be Mg(x)M(y)Mn(1-y)O(2)center dot zH(2)O, where x = 0.08-0.10, y = 0.23-0.29, z = 0.35-0.54 in M = Co and x = 0.13-0.14, y = 0.03-0.16, z = 0.19-0.28 in M = Fe. The preliminary electrochemical characteristics including charge-discharge cyclings of the metal-doped-todorokite electrodes were examined as lithium insertion hosts for cathodes in rechargeable lithium batteries. The metal-doped todorokite exhibited S-shaped discharge behavior and the Co-doped one with x = 0.10, y = 0.29 showed a high discharge capacity of ca. 132 mAh g(-1)-oxide and cycling capacity of 90-100 mAh g(-1). (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.