LiNi1/3Co1/3-xMn1/3ZnxO2 (x=0, 1/24, 2/24 and 4/24) cathode material for lithium-ion battery was synthesized by a sol-gel method. The results of XRD and SEM show that Zn doping does not change the α-NaFeO2 layer structure of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2, and impurity phases occur when the doped amount reaches 4/24. Electrochemical studies indicate that when the doped Zn content is 2/24, the initial discharge capacity of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 decreases from 169.2 mAh·g-1 of the undoped material to 160.1 mAh·g-1. The cycling performance, however, is significantly improved. Compared with undoped material, the capacity retention rate of the sample of LiNil/3Col/3-xMnl/3ZnxO2 with x=2/24 increases from 89.2% to 97% after 30 cycles. The same sample was charged and discharged again at 20 mA·g?1 and the corresponding discharge specific capacity was restored to 150.3 mAh·g?1 after 20 cycles in different current densities of 20, 40, 60 and 80 mA·g-1.