An embodiment of the present invention provides a positive electrode active material, including secondary particles formed by densely packing a plurality of primary particles, the interior of the primary particles includes closed pores, the size of the closed pores is in the range of 1nm-300nm, and the primary particles contain the compound Li c Ni a co b m 1‑a‑ b o 2‑d x d , wherein, M is selected from one or more of Mn, Al, Na, Mg, Ca, Zr, Sr, Ti, Cr, V, W, Si, Ga, Sn, lanthanides and actinides, and X is selected from From one or more of B, F, Cl and S, 0≤a≤1, 0≤b≤1, 0.8≤c≤1.5, 0≤d≤0.5. The closed pores inside the primary particles of the positive electrode active material can effectively release the internal stress caused by the volume change of the material during the lithium intercalation and deintercalation process, and improve the cycle stability of the positive electrode active material. The embodiment of the present invention also provides a preparation method of the positive electrode active material and a lithium secondary battery.