Resent research status of lithium iron phosphate,a new kind of cathode material for lithium ion batteries,was reviewed in this paper.The methods of the preparation,the characteristics of the structure and the performence of lithium iron phosphate were also stated systematically.In addition,three different ways,including adding conductive reagents or their precursor and doping with various cations to improve the electrochemical properties of lithium iron phosphate,were discussed.