<p>LiMn_xFe_1 − xPO₄ (LMFP) is a promising cathode candidate due to its high working voltage, cost-effective advantages, and environmentally friendly characteristics. However, LMFP is constrained by issues such as low intrinsic electronic and ionic conductivity, as well as Jahn–Teller lattice distortion induced by Mn³⁺, which limit its practical performance. To synergistically optimize its electrochemical behavior, LiMn_{0.6 − x − y}Fe_0.4Mg_xZn_yPO₄ (x = 0, y = 0; x = 0.005, y = 0.005; x = 0.01, y = 0; x = 0, y = 0.01) composite materials were designed and synthesized via a solvothermal method in this study. A comparative investigation of these samples was conducted to systematically elucidate the mechanisms underlying individual Mg and Zn doping and their synergistic co-doping. The experimental results indicate that the synergistic strategy of Mg and Zn dual-doping combined with carbon coating helps stabilize the olivine structure of LMFP, improves the reaction kinetics, and lowers the Li⁺ diffusion energy barrier. The optimized LMFP/C-MgZn1 exhibits enhanced electrochemical performance, retaining 92.42% of its capacity after 600 cycles at 1.0 C and delivering a discharge specific capacity of 109.8&#xa0;mAh g⁻¹ at 10.0 C. Furthermore, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the co-doping strategy improves the reaction kinetics by reducing both the material’s band gap and the Li⁺ diffusion energy barrier.</p> Graphical abstract <p>Mg Zn co doping stabilizes LMFP/C, reduces the Li diffusion barrier and band gap,and enables fast kinetics with durable cycling.</p> <p></p>