The embodiment of the invention provides a positive electrode active material, which comprises a secondary particle formed by tightly stacking a plurality of primary particles, wherein closed pores are formed in the primary particles, the sizes of the closed pores are within the range of 1 to 300 nm, the primary particle comprises a compound LicNiaCobM1-a-bO2-dXd, M is selected from one or more ofMn, Al, Na, Mg, Ca, Zr, Sr, Ti, Cr, V, W, Si, Ga, Sn, lanthanide series elements and actinide series elements, X is selected from one or more of B, F, Cl and S, a is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1, b is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1, c is greater than or equal to 0.8 and less than or equal to 1.5, and d is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.5. According to the invention, the closed pores in the primary particles of the positive electrode active material can effectively release internal stress caused by volume change of the material in the lithium intercalation and deintercalation process, so that the cycling stability of the positive electrode active material is improved. The embodiment of the invention also provides a preparation method of the positive electrode active material, and a lithium secondary battery.