In the work, one dimensional (1D) ZnFe2O4 nanofibers (ZFO NFs) coated with N-doped carbon shell (ZFO@N-C NFs) were synthesized via electrospinning coupled with ploydopamine coating and subsequent carbonization. Systematical characterizations showed that the ZFO NFs constructed with similar to 10 nm nano-particle subunits were uniformly covered with the ultrathin N-doped carbon shell of similar to 3 nm in thickness. When evaluated as a potential anode for Li-ion batteries, the resulted 1D core-shell ZFO@N-C NFs exhibited high-rate reversible capacities and long-term cycling stability. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.