A　facile　topochemical　route　has　been　developed　to　synthesize　porous　LiMn2O4　spheres　by　using　molten　LiOH　and　porous　Mn2O3　spheres　as　a　template.　The　presence　of　pores　with　the　average　size　of　about　45　nm　throughout　the　whole　LiMn2O4　microspheres　was　confirmed　by　transmission　electron　microscope　(TEM)　and　N-2　adsorption-desorption　measurements.　When　applied　as　cathode　materials　for　rechargeable　lithium-ion　batteries,　the　porous　sphere　LiMn2O4　revealed　stable　high-rate　capability.　The　discharge　capacity　is　83　mAh　g(-1)　at　20　C　rate,　and　it　shows　a　good　capacity　retention　after　cycling　at　constantly　changing　discharge　rate.　Taking　the　excellent　electrochemical　performance　and　facile　synthesis　into　consideration,　the　presented　porous　LiMn2O4　spheres　could　be　a　competitive　candidate　cathode　material　for　high-performance　lithium-ion　batteries.　(C)　2012　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.