A flexible felt consisting of electrospun anatase TiO2 and amorphous SiO2 nanofibers together with anatase TiO2 nanoparticles was explored as an innovative anode material for lithium ion battery. The electrochemical characterization of the half-cell of the composite felt (vs. Li metal) showed that the felt had a high initial discharge capacity of 170 mAh/g and an excellent rate capability; furthermore, the capacity was retained at 84% of initial value after 100 cycles at fast charge/discharge rate of 1 A/g. The binder-free composite felt maintained superior flexibility/robustness and good electrochemical performance after 5,000 continuous bending cycles. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.