Li0.98Cu0.01MnPO4/C　composite　cathode　materials　for　lithium　ion　battery　are　synthesized　by　sol-gel　method　followed　by　heat　treatment　in　the　air.　Field-emission　scanning　electron　microscopy　measurements　show　that　both　firing　temperature　and　carbon　content　affect　the　morphology　of　the　end　products.　X-ray　powder　diffraction　analysis　indicates　that　the　samples　are　olivine-structured.　The　galvanostatic　charge-discharge　results　show　that　the　optimal　firing　temperature　registers　500°C　and　that　the　electrochemical　performances　of　Li0.98Cu0.01MnPO4/C　are　improved　by　elevating　its　carbon　amount.　The　cyclic　ability　and　rate　performances　of　LiMnPO4　are　greatly　improved　by　doping　Cu.　©　2012　Springer-Verlag.