Engineering of three-dimensional nanohybrids: Co9S8 nanocrystal coated hollow carbon nanosphere for advanced lithium storage

•Three-dimensional nanohybrid was formed by tiny Co9S8 coated hollow carbon sphere.•Hollow carbon sphere inside Co9S8 shell works as an efficient conductive medium.•The hybrid shows a capacity of 560 mA h g−1 after 400 cycles at 1 A g−1 for LIB.•The Co9S8/carbon hybrid is deemed as an effective tactic for Li-S battery.