Herein,　we　report　a　novel　strategy　for　preparing　a　highly　homogeneous　nanocoating　for　Li-rich　Mn-based　layered　oxides　by　the　elemental　Al　doping　followed　by　chemical　conversion　in　phosphate　buffer　solution.　X-ray　photoelectron　spectroscopy,　soft　X-ray　absorption　spectroscopy　and　transmission　electron　microscopy　results　exhibit　that　there　exist　AlPO4　nanocoating　on　the　surface　of　particles.　The　resultant　AlPO4-nanocoated　Li[Li0.2Ni0.11Co0.11Mn0.54Al0.04]O2　particles　exhibit　a　greatly　enhanced　reversible　capacity　with　superior　thermal　stabilities　in　relative　to　pristine　Li[Li0.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54]O2.　Under　a　current　density　of　30　mA　g-1　the　AlPO4-nanocoated　Li[Li0.2Ni0.11Co0.11Mn0.54Al0.04]O2　can　deliver　a　specific　capacity　of　282.1　mAh　g-1　with　capacity　retention　of　89%　after　35　cycles.　©　2014　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.