Phospho-olivine $LiFePO_4$ cathode materials were prepared by hydrothermal reaction. Carbon black was added to enhance the electrical conductivity of $LiFePO_4$. The structural and morphological performance of $LiFePO_4$ and $LiFePO_4$-C powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). $LiFePO_4$/Li and $LiFePO_4$-C/Li cells were characterized electrochemically by cyclic voltammogram (CV), charge/discharge experiments and ac impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the discharge capacity of $LiFePO_4$/Li cell was 147 mAh/g at the first cycle and 118 mAh/g after 30 cycles, respectively. The discharge capacity of $LiFePO_4$-C/Li cell with 5 wt% carbon black was the largest among $LiFePO_4$-C/Li cells, 133 mAh/g at the first cycle and 128 mAh/g after 30 cycles, respectively. It was demonstrated that cycling performance of $LiFePO_4$-C/Li cell with 5 wt% carbon black was better than that of $LiFePO_4$/Li cell.