This work discusses codoping moderate metal nanoparticles (Ni, Fe) on the ferrite/C composite nanofibers to improve the electronic conductivity. The ultrafine Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4/Ni/C, ZnFe2O4/Ni/Fe/C, and ZnO/Ni/Fe/C nanofibers are synthesized by electrospinning and subsequent annealing at 450, 550 and 650 degrees C, respectively. Their growth mechanism, morphologies and lithium ion storage properties are investigated in detail. ZnFe2O4/Ni/Fe/C exhibits the best electrochemical performance. The composite shows an initial discharge capacity of 1316 mA h g(-1) and manages to achieve a capacity of 793 mA h g(-1) after 200 cycles at 100 mA g(-1). A high capability of 450 mA h g(-1) is still obtained when the current density increases to 1 A g(-1). We also compare the lithium ion storage properties of pure ZnFe2O4, ZnFe2O4/C and ZnFe2O4/Ni/Fe/C to demonstrate the positive effect of codoping ferrites by Ni and Fe nanoparticles with amorphous carbon mixed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.