We report for the first time fabrication of nanostructured V2O5 thin film cathodes for lithium-ion batteries using Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) particles as biological templates. TMV-templated V2O5 electrodes showed enhanced electrochemical performance compared to electrodes with a planar configuration demonstrating high specific capacity, excellent rate capability and cycling stability. A specific capacity of 12 mu Ah cm(-2) was achieved for the TMV-templated electrode with a V2O5 layer thickness of similar to 30 nm, which is 7-8 times higher than the specific capacity of planar V2O5 electrodes of the same thickness. Higher areal specific capacities are achievable by increasing active battery material loading: electrodes with twice higher V2O5 loading delivered capacities of 25 mu Ah cm(-2). Development of the cathode is an important step towards the fabrication of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with superior virus-templated electrodes for high performance electrochemical energy storage. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.