V2O5/TiO2 nanocomposite particles were synthesized and coated directly onto glass beads by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Size-controlled, almost spherical, catalytic particles with agglomerated surface morphologies were synthesized by controlling the gas flow rate. The CVD-coated glass beads had a more uniform nanoparticle coating than those prepared using a dip-coating method. The photocatalytic activities of the coated beads toward the degradation of aqueous methylene blue were tested and the best activity was exerted by the beads coated at a vanadium precursor gas flow rate of 1.0 The structures of the coated beads were examined by scanning electron microscopy, the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller surface area, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The CVD process was found to be a suitable method for the single-step preparation of nanocomposite coatings on glass bead supports. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.