Improved Synthesis of Olivine Lithium Metal Phosphate Cathode Materials

An improved process for forming a lithium metal phosphate cathode material, a precursor to the cathode material and a battery comprising the cathode material is described. The process comprising: forming an first aqueous solution comprising a first molar concentration of Li and a second molar concentration of PO4; forming a second aqueous solution comprising organic acid or a salt of an organic acid and a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Mn and Co wherein said metal is present in a third molar concentration; allowing a precipitate to form; drying the precipitate; and calcining the precipitate thereby forming the lithium metal phosphate cathode material having a formula represented by LiMPO/C wherein the lithium metal phosphate cathode material comprises up to 3 wt % carbon.