LiCo1/3Fe2/3PO4/C composite was synthesized by a solid state method with CoFe2O4 as the precursor and glucose as the carbon source. The composite consists of homogeneous Co-Fe distributed LiCo1/3Fe2/3PO4 with its particles covered by nano-carbon layers, which could prevent the growth of the particles as well as form a fast path for electronic transmission during charging and discharging process. It shows excellent electrochemical performance as the cathode for lithium-ion batteries, which delivers discharge capacities of 154.6, 152.9, 135.4, 122.3, 105.2 and 91.3 mAh g(-1) at 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 C, respectively, and retains 94.6% of its initial discharge capacity after 30 cycles at 5 C. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.