An advanced electrode for high areal capacity Li ion battery anode has been designed by growing ultra thick mesoporous Co3O4 nanosheet networks on Ni foam. This noval architecture consists of mesoporous Co3O4 nanosheets, which are interconnected with each other to form macropores. Benefiting from the favorable macro/meso-porous structures as well as the large mass loading of the synthesized Co3O4 on three dimensional foam, this unique electrode exhibits an areal capacity as high as 4.39mAhcm−2 and excellent rate capability and cycling stability.