A alpha-Fe2O3 nanorod array on electrospinning carbon nanofibers (CNFs) is prepared by a hydrothermal method using low-cost precursor of FeCl3 followed by a simple annealing. The obtained Fe2O3/CNFs show that the iron oxide nanorods grown on the CNF surface are 20-40 nm in diameter and 100-150 nm in length and are alpha-Fe2O3. The Fe2O3/CNF composite demonstrates good rate capability and cycling performance up to 50 times (similar to 758 mA h g(-1) retained at 0.2 C). The improved electrochemical performance may be attributed to the enhanced Li ion percolation that results from the spaced radial Fe2O3 nanorods on CNFs having an increased portion of exposed surfaces and the enhanced electron conductivity of the electrode that results from the cross-linking CNFs' conductive network. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.