A solvothermal route has been adopted to prepare gamma-LiV2O5 nanorods via the reaction of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) and lithium hydrate (LiOH) in ethanol at 160-200 degreesC. The as-obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical performance of products as cathode active materials was investigated, which indicates that the nanorods of gamma-LiV2O5 with smaller size showed better electrochemical properties. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.