We report the epitaxial growth of the LiNi1-yMyO2 films (M=Co, Co-Al) on heated nickel foil using pulsed laser deposition in oxygen environment from lithium-rich targets. The structure and morphology was characterized by X-ray diffractometry, electron scanning microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Data reveal that the formation of oriented films is dependent on two important parameters: the substrate temperature and the gas pressure during ablation. The charge-discharge process conducted in Li-microcells demonstrates that effective high specific capacities can be obtained with films 1.35 mu m thick. Stable capacities of 83 and 92 mu Ah cm(-2) mu m are available in the potential range 4.2-2.5 V for LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 and LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 films, respectively. The self-diffusion coefficient of Li ions determined from galvanostatic intermittent titration experiments is found to be 4 x 10(-12) cm(2) s(-1). (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.