<p>By summarizing the literatures on the application of carbon-based flexible materials in the integrated electrodes of lithium-ion batteries, a method for preparing three-dimensional integrated flexible electrodes by merely depositing active substances on carbon cloth through electrophoresis was proposed. This method was also demonstrated to have the advantages of simplifying production steps and improving the production efficiency of lithium-ion batteries. The previous researchers’ problems in preparing electrodes by electrophoresis, such as complex raw materials, cumbersome preparation methods and unsatisfactory electrochemical performance, were reviewed. It was believed that the morphological and active modification of commercial carbon cloth, and the selection of appropriate surfactants or chelating agents in electrophoresis to anchor the active substance particles and the carbon cloth, would achieve a close composite of the particles and the carbon cloth and good electronic conductivity, and an explaining of the energy storage theoretical mechanism of the full carbon cloth distribution lithium-ion batteries.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>