Ni0.25Mn0.75CO3　precursors　with　different　morphologies　are　prepared　successfully　by　carbonate　co-precipitation　of　the　corresponding　metal　salt　solutions　using　Na2CO3　and　NH4OH　as　precipitation　and　complexing　agents.　The　high-voltage　spinel　LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4　is　then　prepared　as　a　lithium　battery　cathode　material　from　this　precursor　by　the　introduction　of　LiOH·H2O.　The　effect　of　morphologies　on　the　electrochemical　performance　was　evaluated　by　analyzing　the　charge/discharge　profiles　and　cycling　and　rate-capability　performances.　It　showed　that　the　spherical　LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4　with　nano-size　primary　particles　had　obviously　better　cycling　performance　(at　both　room　and　elevated　temperatures)　and　rate　capability　compared　to　LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4　with　irregular　particle　shape.　The　spherical　morphology　with　good　packing　properties　also　results　in　a　higher　tap　density.　©　2015　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.