In this work, maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3) nanoparticles were uniformly coated on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) by a hybrid synthesis procedure combining an electrospinning technique and hydrothermal method. Polyacrylonitrile nanofibers fabricated by the electrospinning technique serve as a robust support for iron oxide precursors during the hydrothermal process and successfully limit the aggregation of nanoparticles at the following carbonization step. The best materials were optimized under a carbonization condition of 600 degrees C for 12 h. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy studies confirm the formation of a maghemite structure standing on the surface of CNFs. The average size of gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles is below 100 nm, whereas CNFs are similar to 150 nm in diameter. In comparison with aggregated bare iron oxide nanoparticles, the as-prepared carbon-maghemite nanofibers exhibit a higher surface area and greatly improved electrochemical performance (>830 mAh g(-1) at 50 mA g(-1) for 40 cycles and high rate capacity up to 5 A g(-1) in the voltage range of 0.005-3 V vs Li). The greatly enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to the unique one-dimensional nanostructure and the limited aggregation of nanoparticles.