Confined charge carriers in nano-scaled structures have revealed great impacts on scientific and technological advances during the last few decades. Here we present quantum size effect of surface-channeled Au nanoparticles-VO2 nanowire assembly fabricated via ac dielectrophoresis. Carrier injection is manipulated through Au nanoparticles decorated on the surface of single crystal VO2 nanowire. Plateau structures are seen in the I-V characteristic of the assembly at 150 K, and the corresponding oscillation in channel conductance is analyzed in terms of quantum confinement induced two-dimensional layer of the carriers in a nanobelt formed around the insulating core of the VO2 nanowire. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.