Cellulose derivative CMCAB was synthesized, and nanometer fiber composite material was obtained from lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, LFP)/CMCAB by electrospinning. Under the protection of inert gas, modified LFP/carbon nanofibers (CNF) nanometer material was obtained by carbonization in 600 degrees C. IR, TG-DSC, SEM and EDS were performed to characterize their morphologies and structures. LFP/CNF composite materials were assembled into lithium-ion battery and tested their performance. Specific capacity was increased from 147.6 mAh g(-1) before modification to 160.8 mAh g(-1) after modification for the first discharge at the rate of 2 C. After 200 charge-discharge cycles, when discharge rate was increased from 2C to 5C to 10 C, modified battery capacity was reduced from 152.4 mAh g(-1) to 127.9 mAh g(-1) to 106 mAh g(-1). When the ratio was reduced from 10 C to 5 C to 2 C, battery capacity can be quickly approximate to the original level. Cellulose materials that were applied to lithium battery can improve battery performance by electrospinning. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.