The electrochemical performance of fulvic acid-based electrospun hard carbon nanofibers (PF-CNFs) as anodes for sodium-ion batteries is reported. PF-CNFs were prepared, stabilization in air at 280 degrees C and then carbonized in N-2 at 800, 1000, 1300 or 1500 degrees C. The PF-CNFs prepared at 1300 degrees C had abundant oxygen functional groups, large interlayer spaces and stable morphologies and when used as anodes in sodium-ion batteries, a reversible sodium intercalation capacity of 248 mAh g(-1) was obtained with capacity retention ratio of 91% after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g(-1). This large capacity combined with the superior cycling performance indicates that fulvic acid-based carbon nanofibers are promising electrode materials for use in rechargeable sodium-ion batteries. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.