One-step　hydrothermal　method　was　developed　to　prepare　hybrid　γ-Fe2O3/carbon　hollow　spheres　with　a　predominant　orientation　(111)　plane　of　γ-Fe2O3　and　rich　oxygen-containing　functional　groups　on　carbon.　The　resulting　functional　hybrid　exhibited　extremely　high　adsorption　capacities　for　toxic　Pb(II)　and　Cr(VI)　ions　in　solutions　with　easy　magnetic　separation.　The　ease　of　synthesis　and　low　cost,　coupled　with　the　efficient　and　rapid　removal　of　toxic　heavy　metal　ions,　make　hybrid　γ-Fe2O3/carbon　hollow　spheres　an　attractive　adsorbent　for　the　purification　of　waste　and　contaminated　water.　©　2014　Elsevier　Inc.