Method for preparing a particulate cathode material

A method for improving the electrochemical performance of previously synthesized lithium metal phosphate particles, said method comprising:

• grinding said previously synthesized lithium metal phosphate particles into a particle size of from 5 nm to less than 1 micron, wherein the grinding is performed in a bead mill on particles dispersed in a carrier solvent, and such that:
• 0.004<MS(SP)/MS(B)<0.12,
• 0.0025<MS(FP)/MS(SP)<0.25
• wherein MS(SP) represents the mean size diameter of the particles before grinding, MS(FP) represents the mean size diameter of the particles after grinding, and MS(B) is the mean size diameter of the beads;
• adding an organic carbon precursor to the particles before, during or after said grinding;
• and
• performing a pyrolysis on the organic carbon precursor and ground particles to obtain a non-powdery conductive carbon deposit on at least part of the surface of the particles,
• wherein said organic carbon precursor is a monomer, said method comprising a further step performed after said grinding and before said pyrolysis, said further step being polymerizing or cross-linking the organic carbon precursor.