$LiFePO_4$ is a promising cathode material for secondary lithium batteries due to its high energy density, low cost and safety. $LiFePO_4$ was synthesized by the citrate process under reductive, neutral, and oxidative, atmospheres and the crystal structure was analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction. The samples synthesized under $N_2$ and $H_2$ atmosphere showed a single phase of a olivine structure, where the samples synthesized under $O_2$ atmosphere exhibited second phase of $Fe2O_3$. All the samples synthesized at 400, 600 and $800^{circ}C$ under $N_2$ atmosphere presented a single phase of olivine. Residual organic material was observed for the sample synthesized at $400^{circ}C$. There was nearly no intensity difference between the samples synthesized at $600^{circ}C$ and $800^{circ}C$. The electrochemical characteristic of the $LiFePO_4$ synthesized at $600^{circ}C$ in the $N_2$ atmosphere was analyzed. The result exhibited an high discharge capacity of 160 mAh/g at the first cycle, and 155-160 mAh/g after 45 cycles.