Lithium-ion batteries are considered as one of the most promising energy storage devices in the field of renewable energy due to their high energy density, low weight density, long cycle life, and lack of memory effect. The commonly used powder electrode in commercial lithium-ion batteries has some issues such as a poor rate performance and a significant volume expansion, leading to a poor battery cycle stability. The development of fiber materials with advanced nanostructures is a crucial approach to address these challenges. Nanofibers offer unique advantages including high specific surface area, excellent mechanical strength, and good flexibility. When utilizing a negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries, nanofiber electrodes can accommodate large volume changes and provide an interconnected conductive path during battery cycles. Various anode materials with a carbon nanofiber structure can be prepared by an electrospinning technology. Carbon nanofibers have attracted much attention due to their special nanostructure, outstanding mechanical properties, large specific surface area at the electrode-electrolyte interface, short ion transport length, and efficient longitudinal electron transport. In addition, a variety of lithium-ion battery anode materials can be encapsulated in carbon nanofibers, and special structures such as porous, hollow, and core-shell can be formed via simply changing the parameters of electrospinning or controlling the shape of the fibers during annealing. This special structure has a large specific surface area and enough gap space, which can withstand the volume change during the lithium ion embedding process, and has a large surface area. It can also provide a more open channel for the rapid migration of ions and electrons, thereby improving electrochemical performance and meeting the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries. The electrospinning technology becomes the main method to prepare various nanofiber structures of lithium ion batteries.

In this review, the spinning principle of carbon nanofibers and its influencing factors were introduced. And carbon nanofibers prepared by electrospinning were described as a lithium storage mechanism for lithium-ion batteries. Also, carbon nanofiber anode materials for lithium-ion batteries prepared by electrospinning were recommend. The effects of element, metal oxide, polyoxide and sulfide on the structure and properties of carbon nanofiber composite anode materials were described.

Elements such as silicon and tin possess a high theoretical energy density and a low working potential. Unfortunately, their poor conductivity and cycling performance limit their commercialization. Dispersing such elemental nanoparticles into carbon nanofibers can effectively improve cycling performance. Metal oxides can serve as electrode materials, exhibiting outstanding electrochemical properties such as high specific capacity, excellent cycle stability, and cost-effectiveness. In addition, metal oxides also have a variety of oxidation states, which are flexible in terms of material design. However, metal oxides have the disadvantages of a high working voltage and a poor electrical conductivity. The composite of two or more kinds of multi-metal oxides with carbon nanofibers can effectively reduce the working voltage and improve the electrical conductivity. Compared with metal oxides, transition metal sulfides usually have higher electrical conductivity, theoretical specific capacity and cycling stability. Metal sulfides can be incorporated into carbon nanofibers to construct carbon metal sulfide materials, which can effectively improve the electronic conductivity.