Tin oxide (SnO2) is a promising alternative material to replace graphite as an anode material for lithium ion battery (LIB). However, bulky neat SnO2 still suffers from serious pulverization and rapid decay of capacity during charging and discharging. In this study, to enhance the cyclic stability and rate performance of SnO2-based anode, antimony tin oxide (ATO)-containing nanofibers were synthesized by a two-step process in this work, including electrospinning of SnCl2/SbCl3/PVP and calcination at 400 degrees C-600 degrees C in air. The electrospun fibers developed from solid to hollow structures through a Kirkendall diffusion process. All ATO nanofibers treated at different temperatures showed an extraordinary initial capacities, in the range of 1563 mAhg(-1)-1711mAhg(-1) during the first discharge. Moreover, the fibers calcinated at 400 degrees C exhibited excellent cyclic stability, namely the capacity at the 200th cycle was 730 mAhg(-1) at a current density of 0.2Ag(-1), which was 76% of its capacity at the 2nd cycle. In addition, this material also displayed excellent rate performance, delivering 327 mAhg(-1) at 3.2Ag(-1) after 60 cycles. These values were superior to those calcinated at 600 degrees C, Because of its reduced volume, the carbon matrix provides a large surface area and a short diffusion length in the treated ATO fibers. provided by the carbon matrix in the 400 degrees C-treated ATO fibers. These results revealed the importance of combining the buffering carbon phase with the nano-fibrous structure for the improvement of SnO2-based electrode, and would pave the way for further enhancing the performance of anodes for LIBs.