Three-dimensional　(3D)　hollow　nanostructure　has　been　intensively　investigated　for　preparing　desirable　anode　material.　Herein,　VN　hollow　spheres　are　made　up　of　porous　nanosheets　which　were　prepared　through　a　one-step　solvothermal　route　and　followed　with　calcination　process　under　ammonia　atmosphere.　Consequently,　the　obtained　hollow　sphere　structure　can　provide　large　surface　area　and　exhibiting　unprecedented　stable　long　cycling　performance　(456　mA　h　g−1　after　1100　cycles),　when　applied　as　an　anode　for　lithium　intercalation.　Besides,　the　anode　material　also　demonstrates　a　high　capacitive　contribution　of　76.1%　at　2　mV　s−1　for　the　total　charge.　©　2019　Elsevier　B.V.