To meet the requirements for high-rate battery with desirable performance, a self-supported Ni2P@Ni sponge electrode is synthesized via simple steps, in which the Ni sponge substrate is synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal method and the Ni2P nanosheets grown on the novel substrate are converted from Ni(OH)(2) via a phosphorization reaction. This hybrid composite combines the 3D porous structure of Ni sponge and high capacity of Ni2P nanosheets, which exhibits lightweight, flexible and highly-conductive properties, resulting in an excellent specific capacity of 430.3 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 1 A g(-1), and remaining as high as 77.0% capacity even at 40 A g(-1). More importantly, the Ni2P@Ni sponge//C cell exhibits the maximum energy density of 182.1 W h kg(-1) at a power density of 205 W kg(-1) along with superior capacity retention of 85.2% after 3000 cycles. It is suggested that the Ni2P nanosheet@Ni sponge composite is a promising electrode material for high-rate batteries. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.