The paper presents a new synthesis method for nanocomposites made from amorphous and nanocrystalline, silicon deposited oil a carbon fiber Substrate and the Li-ion battery anode performance results achieved with such nanocomposites. Atmospheric microwave plasma coating enables deposition of nanosized silicon onto the 3D-carbon fiber Substrate containing graphite as filler. The microstructure and composition of the nanocomposites is characterized by means of XRD, SEM, Raman spectroscopy and N-2 gas adsorption. Amorphous silicon and nanocrystalline silicon act together with the graphitic carbon as Li-intercalation material. Excellent adhesion to the "electrical network" provided by I tie carbon fibers is observed. In half-cell measurements versus lithium, a stable capacity is found even at multiple cycling with high charge/discharge current. Anodes for Li-ion batteries made from the new material have the potential to significantly increase the reversible capacity of the battery. For example, more than 700 mAh g(-1) is obtained for a composite with a silicon content of less than 20 wt.%. The irreversible specific capacity is comparable to the one of an unmodified carbon fiber Substrate. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.