Abstract: A carbon nanotube (CNT) film was used as the current collector and LiCoO₂ as the cathode for a lithium ion battery. The battery showed a high initial discharge capacity of 132. 8 mAh·g^-1 , a high retention rate of over 80% after 500 cycles under 1C and a low self-discharge rate of 1. 5% . When the areal density of the CNT film is 16 mg·cm^-2 , the energy density of the LiCoO₂ -CNT battery is 25% larger than that of a LiCoO₂-Al battery. The superior properties of the battery may be attributed to the high electrochemical stability of the graphitic structure of CNTs and the porous surface of the CNT film that ensures a high contact surface area between the current collector and the cathode material. The CNT film is promising as a new current collector for lithium ion batteries. Macroscopical carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was studied as current collector for lithium ion battery. LiCoO₂ was used as active substance. The prepared battery showed high first special discharge capacity (132. 8mAh·g^-1 ) and retention rate (over 80% ) after 500 cycles under 1C. When the areal density of cathode layer is 16mg cm^-2 , energy density of LiCoO₂ -CNT battery is 25% larger than that of LiCoO₂ -Al battery. Meanwhile, the battery with CNTs film as current collector has low self-discharge rate (1. 5% ). The superior properties of the battery maybe attribute to graphite structure even underwent current and porous surface of the CNTs film. The characteristic of the surface ensures the cathode to contact with CNTs film tightly. Considering the stable and outstanding properties , the CNTs film is expected to be a new current collector for lithium ion battery