The present invention includes methods, coatings, and a nanostructured phospho-olivine composition LixMyPO4, capable of being formed hydrothermally or solvothermally in aqueous solutions and non-aqueous solutions M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Co, Ti, Ni, Cu, V, Mo, Zn, Mg, Cr, Al, Ga, B, Zr, Nb or combination thereof and x is between 0 and 1 and y is between 0.8 and 1.2. The phospho-olivine may also have the compositions like LixFe1-yMyPO4, wherein x is between 0 and 1, and y is between 0 and 1.