Each of: (1) a nanoparticle comprising a substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material; (2) a battery electrode comprising a plurality of nanoparticles comprising the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material; (3) a battery comprising the battery electrode comprising the plurality of nanoparticles comprising the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material; and (4) a plurality of methods for preparing the nanoparticle comprising the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material, may be employed within the context of a lithium containing battery, such as a lithium ion battery. When the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material has a pore size of about 3 to about 8 nanometers enhanced lithium containing battery electrical performance properties are observed.