Lignosulfonate/poly(2-ethylaniline) (LS-PEA) composite nanospheres were prepared via in situ polymerization of 2-ethylaniline (EA) with lignosulfonate (LS) as a dispersant. LS-PEA nanospheres with an average diameter of 155 nm were obtained at an optimal LS concentration of 20 wt.%. Subsequently, nitrogen-containing carbon nanospheres were fabricated via direct pyrolysis of the LS-PEA composite nanospheres at 600-800 degrees C. The carbon nanospheres prepared by pyrolysis were used as anodes of lithium-ion batteries. The first charge and discharge capacity of carbon nanospheres prepared at 700 degrees C at current densities of 60 and 100 mA g(-1) were 980 and 432 mAh g(-1), and 764 and 342 mAh g(-1), respectively. The batteries still owned a high capacity of 353 and 296 mAh g(-1) after 20 cycles. The results indicated that these nitrogen-containing carbon nanospheres could be used as a promising candidate for electrode materials of lithium-ion batteries. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.