[en] Highlights: • A lithium ionic conductor, Li₂ZrO₃, is coated on LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂. • The coating process is carried on the precursor which is more close the practical production. • Cycling performance and rate capability of LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ has been improved by Li₂ZrO₃ coating. • The mechanism of modification is explored by various means of characterization. - Abstract: Li₂ZrO₃ with three dimensional tunnels for Li⁺ diffusion is introduced to improve the electrochemical performance of LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂. The coating process is carried on the precursor rather than on the product. The Li₂ZrO₃ coating layer with thickness of 10 nm has been detected by morphological observation. Electrochemical tests indicate that the Li₂ZrO₃-coating samples display better electrochemical performance than the bare sample. Especially, the 2% Li₂ZrO₃ coated sample delivers desirable capacity retention of 94.5% after 200 cycles at 1C, which is superior to the bare one (82.5%). Furthermore, the 1% Li₂ZrO₃ coated sample exhibits superior specific capacity of 144.3 mAh g⁻¹ at 10C, much greater than the bare sample (107.4 mAh g⁻¹). The cyclic voltammograms and electrochemical impedance spectra tests demonstrate that the Li₂ZrO₃-coated layer can cut down the electrochemical polarization of the materials and decrease the charge-transfer resistance in the cycling process. The XRD patterns and SEM images of the electrodes before and after 200 cycles reveal the Li₂ZrO₃-coated samples have more stable structure during cycling.