Vanadium pentaoxide (V2O5) micro-nano structures are grown on Si (111), Si (100), molybdenum (Mo), and fused silica (FS) substrates using direct vapor phase technique and studied using scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. The shape and size of V2O5 micro-nano structures depend on the substrate. Belt-shaped V2O5 structures formed on the Si (111) substrates are similar to 500 nm to 2 mu m in width, similar to 50 mu m in length, and oriented similar to 45-56 degrees with respect to the substrate surface. The growth mechanism of V2O5 on Si (111) and Si (100) is compared and discussed on the basis of free surface energy on Si surfaces. A small number of scattered wires of 250-400 nm diameter and 25-30 mu m length are formed on Mo and FS substrates. Photoluminescence intensity of the V2O5 structures is found to vary with the nature of the substrate. The potential uses of such long wires are discussed in light of miniaturized devices. (C) 2008 The Electrochemical Society.