Abstract: Porous NiO nanoparticles were synthesized via a facile thermal decomposition method by only using a simple compound precursor. The as-prepared NiO samples are composed of nanoparticles with large pore volume. The electrochemical properties of the porous NiO nanoparticles were examined by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge studies. The results demonstrate that the as-prepared NiO nanoparticles are excellent electrode materials in LIBs(lithium ion batteries) with high specific capacity, good retention and rate performance. The porous NiO nanoparticles can retain a reversible capacity of 835 mAh/g after 120 cycles at a high current density of 500 mA/g. The introduction of porous structure into the NiO electrodes offers a large contact area between the electrode and electrolyte, and provides space for buffering the strain during cycling, thus leading to enhanced lithium-storage properties.