Pristine spinel lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) and zinc- and cerium-doped lithium manganese oxide [LiZn x Ce y Mn2−x−y O4 (x =0.01–0.10; y =0.10–0.01)] are synthesized for the first time via the sol–gel route using p-amino benzoic acid as a chelating agent to obtain micron-sized particles and enhanced electrochemical performance. The sol–gel route offers shorter heating time, better homogeneity and control over stoichiometry. The resulting spinel product is characterized through various methods such as thermogravimetic and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and electrochemical galvanostatic cycling studies. Charge–discharge studies of LiMn2O4 samples heated at 850°C exhibit a discharge capacity of 122mAhg−1 and a corresponding 99% coulombic efficiency in the 1st cycle. The discharge capacity and cycling performance of LiZn0.01Ce0.01Mn1.98O4 is found to be superior (124mAhg−1), with a low capacity fade (0.1mAhg−1 cycle−1) over the investigated 10 cycles.