A polymer carbonization route was designed to synthesis carbon network-supported Fe3O4@C composites. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles with an average of similar to 200 nm were uniformly wrapped up in this novel carbon network. As an anode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the Fe3O4@C composites present attractive properties with a high specific capacity of 730 mAh g(-1) at 2 C after 300 cycles. The novel carbon network plays a key role in enhancing the electrochemical performance of the composites. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.