The LiZnxMn2-xO4 (x=000-0 15) cathode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries were synthesized by simple sol-gel technique using aqueous solutions of metal nitrates and succinic acid as the chelating agent The gel precursors of metal succinates were dried in vacuum oven for 10 h at 120 C After drying the gel precursors were ground and heated at 900 degrees C The structural characterization was carried out by X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to identify the valance state of Mn in the synthesized materials The sample exhibited a well-defined spinel structure and the lattice parameter was linearly increased with increasing the Zn contents in LiZnxMn2-xO4 Surface morphology and particle size of the synthesized materials were determined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy respectively Electrochemical properties were characterized for the assembled Li/LiZnxMn2-xO4 coin type cells using galvanostatic charge/discharge studies at 05 C rate and cyclic voltammetry technique in the potential range between 2 75 and 45 Vat a scan rate of 0 1 mV s(-1) Among them Zn doped spinel LiZn0 10Mn1 90O4 has improved the structural stability high eversible capacity and excellent electrochemical performance of rechargeable lithium batteries (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved