Lithium-rich nickel–manganese–cobalt oxide, Li 1.2 Ni 0.18 Mn 0.59 Co 0.03 O 2 , prepared by spray-dry process, exhibits rapid capacity fade and poor rate capability. The surface of Li 1.2 Ni 0.18 Mn 0.59 Co 0.03 O 2 can be modified with LiCoPO 4 through co-precipitation method in order to improve its electrochemical properties. The resultant LiCoPO 4 particles are in nano-scale and accumulate on the surface of the Li 1.2 Ni 0.18 Mn 0.59 Co 0.03 O 2 particles. The surface modification by LiCoPO 4 is shown to significantly improve both the cyclic performance and the rate capability of Li 1.2 Ni 0.18 Mn 0.59 Co 0.03 O 2 .