NOVELTY - The method for producing an electrode useful to make a lithium ion battery, comprises combining a lithium-, a phosphorus- and an iron source into an aqueous solution to form a precursor, forming lithium iron phosphate from the precursor, forming the electrode comprising the lithium iron phosphate, and combining an oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing the iron source, a carboxylic acid, a soluble metal source different from the lithium source and the iron source and a carbon additive, in the aqueous solution. The lithium iron phosphate has an average crystallite size of less than 15 nm.    USE - Method is useful for producing an electrode to make a lithium ion battery (claimed), which is useful for laptop computers, cell phones and music players, and for hybrid electric vehicles.    ADVANTAGE - The method uses low cost precursors, is safe, has high batch yields, does not require intensive mechanical precursor milling, extensive capital equipment investment and strict process or pollution control and enhances the intrinsic gravimetric electrochemical capacity and electrical conductivity of the electrode containing the lithium iron phosphate, which has good energy capacity, low toxicity, outstanding cyclability, outstanding safety and low cost thus making a low cost, high energy, high power and safe batteries such as lithium-ion batteries.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The method for producing an electrode useful to make a lithium ion battery, comprises combining a lithium-, a phosphorus- and an iron source into an aqueous solution to form a precursor, forming lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) from the precursor, forming the electrode comprising the LiFePO4, and combining an oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing the iron source, a carboxylic acid, a soluble metal source different from the lithium source and the iron source and a carbon additive, in the aqueous solution. The LiFePO4 has an average crystallite size of less than 15 nm, and a direct current electrical conductivity of greater than or equal to 1x 10-9 S/cm (1 Hz). The formation of the LiFePO4 comprises removing water from the aqueous solution.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a scanning electron microscope photograph of niobium-doped lithium iron phosphate prepared by a solution-chelation process.