A high-rate and stable-cycling hollow corn-like LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 material for lithium ion battery cathodes is successfully synthesized from a hollow hierarchical precursor that derives from hydrothermal method. The obtained material with unique 3D corn-like architecture is assembled from a mirco-rod body and numerous nanoparticles surface, which expand the electrochemical active area, depress the Ni/Li disorder, and alleviate the pulverization. As a proof of practical application, the cathode delivers a high-rate capacity of 186.94 mA h g(-1), and the capacity retention is 85.71% after 100 cycles at 200 mA g(-1). Particularly, this unique cathode architecture is stable, tolerates high-rate charging process, and keeps the original structure intact after fast Li+ extraction and diffusion, thus possessing the advantages present in both nanostructures and microstructures. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.