LiCoO$_2$ as the cathode activity material for lithium secondary battery was prepared from a homogeneously mixed powder of LiNO$_3$/Co by SHS process under argon gas. The characteristics of powder including electrochemical properties were investigated according to various reaction conditions. The reaction temperature/velocity and the size of LiCoO$_2$ were controlled by Li/Co molar ratio and a cooling rate of the specimen, respectively. The maximum discharge capacity was 145 mAh/g on 1.05 Li/Co molar ratio and the relatively stable cycling characteristic with 6.4% of capacity fading was obtained after 10th charging-discharging test.