Zirconium carbide (ZrC) nanofibers were fabricated by the electrospinning method and subsequent heat-treatment. The solution for electrospinning was prepared by dissolving zirconium acetyl acetonate and cellulose acetate in glacial acetic acid and 2,4-pentanedione as common solvents. The effects of the solution properties used for electrospinning, including the concentrations of the starting materials, the C/Zr ratio of the solutions, and soaking conditions, were investigated. The electrospinning process parameters and heat-treatment conditions were also investigated. The electrospun precursors and the heat-treated nanofibers; were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. ZrC nanofibers with a thermal emissivity above 90% have a great potential for thermal storage barrier membrane. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.