The　sol-gel　process,　using　aqueous　solutions,　is　used　for　dip　coating　onto　substrates　of　316L　stainless　steel.　A　suitable　coating　of　LiCoO2　is　achieved　by　varying　the　thickness　and　heat　treating　at　650°C　for　3　h.　Thermal　analysis,　X-ray　diffraction　analysis　and　SEM　are　carried　out　to　characterize　the　microstructure　of　the　coatings.　The　results　show　that　the　coating　transforms　an　amorphous　gel　to　crystalline　phases　above　350°C,　and　show　a　porous　structure.　The　phase　transition　mechanism　is　discussed.