As a representative of transition metal oxides, NiO has the advantages of high energy density and low cost, and thus has attracted extensive attention in the application of lithium-ion batteries anode materials. Porous nanoscale NiO/C composites with low cost are prepared by a simple self-cross-link reaction of sodium alginate with metal ions and following carbonation and oxidation process. In the resultant composites, NiO nanoparticles coated by graphitic layers are uniformly embedded into porous carbon frameworks. The porous carbon frameworks not only enhance the electrical conductivity, but also inhibit the volume expansion of NiO nanoparticles during electrochemical reactions. Applying these in the anodes of lithiumion batteries, these structural features enable the NiO/C composites to deliver high specific capacity of 608.2 and 307.2 mAh/g at the current density of 0.1 and 1 A/g, respectively, and the composites still maintain the specific capacity of 448 mAh/g after 100 cycles under the current density of 0.1 A/g, showing such excellent cycle stability. Such well electrochemical performance demonstrates the potential of NiO/C composites in anodes for lithium-ion batteries.