Co/Co3O4-carbon nanofibers (Co/Co3O4-CNFs) with porous structure were prepared using pyrolysis electrospinning cobalt alginate nanofibers (CoA-NFs) derived from brown algae as the raw material. The phase structure and morphology were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate Co/Co3O4 nanoparticles with a diameter of about 30-50 nm were embedded in the carbon nanofibers. As anode material for lithium-ion battery (LIBs), the Co/Co3O4-CNFs exhibited a high reversible capacity of 720 mAh g(-1), excellent stability (i.e. 710 mAh g(-1) at 0.5 C over 100 cycles) and good rate performance (310 mAh g(-1) at a rate of 5 C).