Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a lithium phosphate compound with an olivine crystal structure, which has a chemical formula of LixMyM?1-yPO4, wherein 0.1?x?1, 0?y?1. The nano-scale lithium phosphate ceramic powder was synthesized by using a self-propagating combustion with reactants of soluble salts and the proper oxidizing agents, followed by heat treatment of powder to obtain nano-scale lithium phosphate compound with an olivine crystal structure in a complete crystal phase. The method of the present invention uses low cost materials and simple processes. The uniform crystal product materials are beneficial to the industrial application.