Novel two-dimensional (2D) Fe-doped LiCoPO4 nano-plates with porous structure have been successfully fabricated using NH4CoPO4 center dot H2O nanosheets as templates followed by Fe doping and high temperature annealing. The obtained Fe-doped LiCoPO4 nano-plates exhibit several merits in morphology and crystal structure, including well-crystallized feature, porous structure, numerous interconnected pathway, improved electric conductivity and good structural stabilization. All the advantages endow the nano plates with enhanced electrochemical performance when they are used as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). In this research, high specific capacity, excellent cyclability and outstanding rate capability in electrochemical energy storage are presented. This synthetic strategy is simple, effective, and could be broadly applied in designed synthesis of other electrode materials for LIBs. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.