LiFePO4　composite　was　synthesized　by　both　solid　state　and　hydrothermal　methods.　The　physical　properties　of　the　as-prepared　lithium　iron　phosphates　were　characterized　by　X-ray　diffraction　while　electrochemical　properties　were　measured　with　charge/discharge　experiments.　X-ray　absorption　spectroscopy　(XAS)　was　performed　to　investigate　the　local　structure　arrangements　of　LiFePO4.　Both　X-ray　absorption　near　edge　structure　(XANES)　and　extended　X-ray　absorption　fine　structure　(EXAFS)　spectra　collected　at　the　Fe　K-edge　shed　light　on　structural　differences　between　LiFePO4　samples　synthesized　with　the　two　methods,　partially　accounting　for　their　different　electrochemical　properties.　(C)　2010　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.