LiAl0.1Mn1.9O4 is synthesized using three different Mn-precursors through solid-state sintering. Although the powder structures of LiAl0.1Mn1.9O4 appear to be identical when examined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the reversible capacity ranges from 50 to 120mAhg−1, depending on the Mn-precursor, when cycled from 2.2 to 3.6V. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) structural analysis shows that there are subtle differences among the microstructures of the as-prepared powders. Although all three powders exhibit capacity fade, typical of the spinel material at 3V, it is found that the particle size and morphology, as well as the structural difference, play an important role in improving or further degrading the cycling behavior of the spinel material.