Tri-layer composite microspheres consisting of a carbon shell, a porous LiFePO4 layer and a carbon core with a hierarchical conductive structure are synthesized as cathode materials for Li ion batteries. The electrodes made from the core–shell microspheres deliver remarkable specific capacities of 160.0, 121.0, 101.5, 77.0 and 59.7 mA h g−1 at 1C, 10C, 20C, 30C and 40C, respectively.
