Uniform immobilization of tungsten trioxide (WO3) or molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) on silica fiber was successfully achieved by using carbon nanofibers (CNFs) as template. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), coupled with X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the template effect and the existence of WO3 or MoO3 immobilized on silica fiber. It is expected that such materials with direct macroscopic shapes would hold promise as highly functionalized materials for potential practical applications, especially in photocatalysis. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.