In　this　study,　orthorhombic　LiMnO　2　nanoplates　have　successfully　been　synthesized　via　a　simple　hydrothermal　route.　The　synthesized　nanoplates　are　highly　crystalline　and　their　thickness　is　found　to　be　ca.　10-50　nm.　A　lithium　battery　using　LiMnO　2　nanoplates　as　the　active　materials　of　the　electrode　exhibits　a　second　discharge　capacity　of　235　mAh　g　-1　at　a　current　density　of　0.01　Ag　-1　.　Cycling　test　indicates　that　the　electrode　composed　of　LiMnO　2　nanoplates　shows　a　high　reversible　charge/discharge　capacity　and　relative　stable　cycling　performance.　©　2009　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.