A method of manufacturing an electrode material having the general formula A a M b (XY (1, 2, 3 or 4)) c, where A is an alkali Metal, or an alkaline earth metal,, M is a transition metal, which is capable of undergoing oxidation to a higher valence state, X is one of P, Si, Ge, B, S, As, Sb and mixtures thereof and Y is one of O, OH, F, Cl, Br, I and mixtures thereof said method comprising the steps of: a) selecting precursors for A, M and X, Y, wherein a1) the precursors of A, M, especially for M, include compounds of the respective elements and at least the compound for M containing carbon units in the molecular formula, which will further decompose into carbon; b) selecting at least one of an organic solvent, mixtures of organic solvents or an organic solvent including at least one surfactant which is/are able to at least partly dissolve one of the precursors and is at least miscible with any further precursor; wherein b1) the solvent has a boiling point above the decomposition temperature of the precursor for M; c) mixing the precursors and the solvent for a time sufficient to obtain a substantially homogenous mixture; d) heating the mixture to the boiling point of the solvent and refluxing it for a time sufficient to produce a core shell structure comprising particles of A a M b (XY (1, 2, 3 or 4)) c forming cores and coatings of carbon and to provide a further carbon coating on the core shell structure resulting from the capping action of the solvent or surfactant to form nanosized particles having an in-situ double carbon coating on the particles; e) separating the nano-particles having the amorphous or crystalline structure from the remainder of the solvent and the precursors; and f) taking the as-prepared nano-particles with amorphous or crystalline structure of step e) having a lower conductivity and subjecting this to a post heat treatment step for a time sufficient to crystalize the amorphous structure, to increase the degree of crystallinity such that less defects are present, and to increase the conductivity of the carbon; wherein the post heat treatment step produces a porous carbon structure which includes the crystalline structures having a higher conductivity. a) selecting precursors for A, M and X, Y, wherein a1) the precursors of A, M, especially for M, include compounds of the respective elements and at least the compound for M containing carbon units in the molecular formula, which will further decompose into carbon; b) selecting at least one of an organic solvent, mixtures of organic solvents or an organic solvent including at least one surfactant which is/are able to at least partly dissolve one of the precursors and is at least miscible with any further precursor; wherein b1) the solvent has a boiling point above the decomposition temperature of the precursor for M; c) mixing the precursors and the solvent for a time sufficient to obtain a substantially homogenous mixture; d) heating the mixture to the boiling point of the solvent and refluxing it for a time sufficient to produce a core shell structure comprising particles of A a M b (XY (1, 2, 3 or 4)) c forming cores and coatings of carbon and to provide a further carbon coating on the core shell structure resulting from the capping action of the solvent or surfactant to form nanosized particles having an in-situ double carbon coating on the particles; e) separating the nano-particles having the amorphous or crystalline structure from the remainder of the solvent and the precursors; and f) taking the as-prepared nano-particles with amorphous or crystalline structure of step e) having a lower conductivity and subjecting this to a post heat treatment step for a time sufficient to crystalize the amorphous structure, to increase the degree of crystallinity such that less defects are present, and to increase the conductivity of the carbon; wherein the post heat treatment step produces a porous carbon structure which includes the crystalline structures having a higher conductivity.