NiFe2O4 nanoparticles (about 18 nm) homogeneously encapsulated in porous carbon fibers (denoted as NFO@C) were successfully fabricated using single-nozzle electrospinning technique with subsequent two-step calcination process. The formation of inverse spinel-type NiFe2O4 was determined by X-ray diffraction patterns. Stable fibrous NFO@C with average diameter of 400 nm exhibited large surface area and porous structure. Moreover, as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), NFO@C fibers electrode exhibited excellent cycling performance (497 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles at 100 mA g(-1)) and excellent rate performance compared with NFO fibers electrode. This is owing to the special structure of small NiFe2O4 nanoparticles embedded in porous carbon fibers, which effectively improve the electrical conductivity of the electrodes, decrease the diffusion path of Li+ ions, as well as prevent the particle pulverization/agglomeration during cycling. Thus, this work paves a potential pathway for designing efficient transition metal oxides -based LIBs anode materials by the combination of carbon matrix. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.