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Low electronic conductivity and drastic volume change during cycling of transition metal oxides, as anodes for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), lead to rapid capacity decay and poor structural stability. Herein, nanostructured NiCo 2 O 4 anchored on carbon sheets was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method with following thermal treatment. The wrinkled carbon substrate in the composite derives from the carbonization of pomelo peels, which can be mass-produced for the large-scale application. This composite shows mesoporous structures with high specific surface areas and intimate NiCo 2 O 4 /carbon interfaces, which favors the alleviation of the volume expansion/shrink during charging/discharging process and improves the electron/mass transport, enhancing the capability and stability for LIBs. This composite delivers a high reversible capacity of 473.7 mA h g−1 after 210 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g−1. A long cycle life of up to 1100 cycles at 2000 mA g−1 is achieved with the retention capacity of 363 mA h g−1. The electrode also exhibits excellent rate capability and can regain its original capacities as reversing to the low current densities. This work highlights the biomass-derived carbon-supported metal oxides as an environmentally friendly and economic strategy for advanced LIBs. • Carbon substrate as buffer for anode materials can be derived from pomelo peels. • Cycling stability of NiCo 2 O 4 is improved by depositing it on carbon substrate. • Faster Li+ diffusion coefficients are obtained with the existence of carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]