Nanostructure construction and surface modification are effective ways to improve the electrochemical performances of electrode materials, especially for the conversion reaction-based materials. In this study, one-dimensional carbon coating bamboo-like Cu2-xS nanorods have been delicately designed in a template-free method. The structure and morphology are well characterized via different instruments such as X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Tested in lithium batteries as the anode, the Cu2-xS@C electrode shows superior electrochemical performances to pristine Cu2-xS. At 1 and 2 C, the Cu2-xS@C nanorod electrode releases 309 and 277 mAh g(-1) after 300 cycles. At high rates of 15 and 22 C, the electrode still exhibits 269 and 264 mAh g(-1). The kinetics of electrodes are also investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic intermittence titration (GITT) measurements, proving the enhanced electrochemical properties. Thus, the one-dimensional bamboo-like Cu2-xS voided nanorods can be a promising candidate for high-performance batteries. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.