h i g h l i g h t s g r a p h i c a l a b s t r a c tNanoparticles of LiMnPO 4 were fabricated in rod, elongated as well as cubic shapes. The 1D Li þ preferred diffusion direction for each shape was determined via electron diffraction spot patterns. The shape of nano-LiMnPO 4 varied the diffusion coefficient of Li þ because the Li þ diffusion direction and the path length were different. The particles with the shortest dimension along the b-axis provided the highest diffusion coefficient, resulting in the highest gravimetric capacity of 135, 100 and 60 mAh g À1 at 0.05C, 1C and 10C, respectively. Using ball-milling, a higher loading of nano-LiMnPO 4 in the electrode was achieved, increasing the volumetric capacity to 263 mAh cm À3 , which is ca. 3.5 times higher than the one obtained by hand-mixing of electrode materials. Thus, the electrochemical performance is governed by both the diffusion coefficient of Li þ , which is dependent on the shape of LiMnPO 4 nanoparticles and the secondary composite structure.