Dual-template synthesis, which includes porous anodic alumina and lyotropic liquid crystalline templates, has been carried out at various electrodeposition potentials, annealing and electrodeposition temperatures for mesoporous Co(OH)(2) nanowires. The maximum capacitance of 1180 F g(-1) has been achieved at 4 A g(-1). The chemical state and detailed structure of Co(OH)(2) are examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) respectively. It reveals that the capacitance behavior of mesoporous Co(OH)(2) nanowires depends on not only the oxygen atomic ratio of Co(OH)(2) to CoO chemical state, but also the packed density of the interlaced nanostructure. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.