An attempt to obtain conductive carbon layer (CCL) on the LiMn2O4 and LiMn2O4-ySy spinels, using the radical precipitation polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) and styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) in water suspension of the spinels followed, by pyrolysis of the composed precursors was made. In the case of PAN-spinel precursors the CCL on spinel particles was effectively formed. Phase transitions, as well as thermal and electrical properties of the carbon-sulphided spinel composites were characterized. An attempt with SAN copolymer failed due to the reaction between SAN and the spinels during pyrolysis, even in the argon stream. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.