MoN@N-doped　carbon　hollow　spheres　(denoted　as　MoN@NC)　assembled　from　porous　nanosheets　are　facilely　fabricated　via　one-pot　hydrothermal　process　followed　by　in-situ　nitridation　treatment.　Consequently,　these　hollow　spherical　structures　have　a　porous　feature　and　exhibited　a　large　surface　area　of　111.5　m2　g−1.　Due　to　the　intrinsic　metallic　characteristics,　MoN@NC　hollow　spheres　demonstrate　superior　electrochemical　performance　as　an　anode　material　for　lithium　ion　battery.　In　detail,　it　delivers　a　capacity　of　571　mA　h　g−1　after　800　cycles　at　1　A　g−1.　©　2018　Elsevier　Ltd