A uniformly dispersed bi-component nanocompotise of transition metal oxide (Mn2O3)/mixed transition metal oxide (NiMn2O4) with a porous and hollow microspheric sructure has been successfully prepared with a facile method based on the complexation between Ni2+ and NH3. The obtained nanocomposite of 0.29 Mn2O3/0.14 NiMn2O4, expressed as Ni0.14Mn0.86O1.43, with nanometer-sized building blocks exhibits a high reversible capacity of 615 mA h g(-1), which is about 90% of theoretical value at the current density of 800 mA h g(-1), and long lifespan with retained capacities of 553 and 408 mA h g(-1) after 150 cycles at 200 and 800 mA g(-1), respectively, as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.