A $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}O_2$ (LNCAO/C) active material composite cathode was coated with carbon. The conductive carbon coating was obtained by addition of surfactant during synthesis. The addition of surfactant led to the formation of an amorphous carbon coating layer on the pristine LNCAO surface. The layer of carbon coating was clearly detected by FE-TEM analysis. In electrochemical performance, although the LNCAO/C showed similar capacity at low C-rate conditions, the rate capability was improved by the form of the carbon coating at high current discharge state. After 40 cycles of charge-discharge processes, the capacity retention of LNCAO/C was better than that of LNCAO. The carbon coating is effectively protected the surface structure of the pristine LNCAO during Li insertion-extraction.