LiMn2-xCrxO4 cathode materials were prepared by sol-gel method. The structure and electrochemical properties of LiMn2-xCrxO4 (X=0-1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) cathode materials for lithium ion batteries were studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge tests. The cathodes with different Cr in contents LiMn2-xCrxO4 (x = 0.1. 0.2. 0.3 and 0.4) were synthesized and showed a single-phase spinet structure without any impurity. The amount of Cr has a large consequence on the electrochemical characteristics. The total discharge capacities were increased with the Cr content and all of them have good cycle stability. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.