Single-crystal VO2 nanosheets have been successfully synthesized through a hydrothermal process, which involves high concentration NaOH solution. These crystallized nanosheets are very thin and their thickness is ca. 20 nm. According to comparative results, a substituting-exfoliating model was proposed for the formation of VO2 nanosheets structure. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. Ail rights reserved.