We　report　the　preparation　and　characterization　of　Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2　(=0.5Li(2)MnO(3)center　dot　0.5LiNi(0.5)Mn(0.5)O(2))　microspheres　as　cathode　materials　for　lithium　ion　batteries.　These　microspheres　were　synthesized　by　carbonate　co-precipitation　and　calcination　with　lithium　salt.　The　samples　were　characterized　by　X-ray　diffraction,　scanning　electron　microscopy,　transmission　electron　microscopy,　inductively　coupled　plasma-atomic　emission　spectrometer,　and　nitrogen　adsorption.　It　is　found　that　the　synthesized　samples,　of　spherical　morphology　with　primary　nanoparticles　assembled　in　secondary　microparticles,　have　a　diameter　of　similar　to　5　mu　m.　When　used　as　the　cathode　materials　for　lithium　ion　batteries,　the　sample　prepared　at　aging　time　of　9　h　with　ammonia　concentration　of　0.6　mol　L-1　shows　excellent　electrochemical　performance.　Their　charge　capacities　are　274　mAh　g(-1)　at　the　current　density　of　20　mA　g(-1),　much　higher　than　those　of　the　commercial　LiCoO2　and　LiFePO4.　More　importantly,　they　exhibit　excellent　rate　performances　with　a　capacity　of　165　and　144　mAh　g(-1)　at　the　current　densities　of　600　and　1000　mA　g(-1),　respectively,　superior　to　those　of　other　reported　Li-rich　cathode　materials.　This　work　illustrates　the　relation　among　synthesis　condition,　inner　structure　and　electrochemical　performance,　which　has　a　positive　effect　on　industry　production.　(C)　2016　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.