A method for forming a nickel plated graphene hollow sphere is based on self assembly of graphene under the actions of a rotation force and the van der Waals force, and an electroless nickel plating process performed on the exposed surface of the graphene by means of a hydrothermal method. The method is simple to implement at low cost, and the nickel plated graphene hollow sphere product can be produced with good reproducibility and a high yield. The nickel plated graphene hollow sphere formed by the present method can exhibit good electromagnetic wave absorbing performances of both nickel and graphene, and may have a lower overall density.