An effective method of using cellulosic substances (filter paper) as template was employed to prepare SiO x nanotubular materials examined as anode for Li-ion battery. According to XRD, SEM, TEM and HR-TEM analysis, the synthesized nanotubular materials retained the morphological hierarchy of the filter paper, and each nanotube was composed of nanosized SiO x ranged from 5 to 20nm. It exhibits a stable reversible capacity of 940mAhg−1 at constant current density of 100mAg−1, and capacity retention keeps over 91.5% after 50 cycles. The nano-scale characteristics of SiO x particle embed in the nanotube ensures the fast Li-ion diffusion in the electrode. The nanotube came from cellulose fiber template provides the electrode with firm framework, and thus avoids the electrode to pulverize in the charge–discharge process. Moreover, the hollow structure offers a sufficient void space, which sufficiently alleviates the mechanical stress caused by volume change. All these factors are responsible for the stable electrochemical performance of SiO x electrode.