MOFs-derived Co3O4/MWCNTs composite as high-performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries

•The Co-MOF precursor and MWCNTs are combined together by a simple one-step hydrothermal method.•Co3O4 which was obtained by calcination of the precursor maintains a hollow spherical shape of different sizes but regular shapes. The size of the hollow sphere is approximately between 2 µm and 5 µm, and the surface of the hollow sphere is composed of uniform-sized nanoparticles.•Co3O4 with hollow microspheres grows like fruits on multi-walled carbon nanotubes. This structure has good mechanical and chemical stability.•The Co3O4/MWCNTs electrode showed a high capacity of 710 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.1A·g−1, and an excellent capability of 633.4 mAh·g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.5A·g−1.