Single crystalline VO2(B) nanobelts with a metastable structure were obtained through a simple hydrothermal synthetic method. The VO2(B) nanobelts were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electronic diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy techniques. The as-obtained VO2(B) nanobelts are 400-600 nm long, typically 100-150 nm wide and 20-30 nm thick. The belt-like VO2(B) with a high surface area may be beneficial to lithium insertion between the VO6 layers for application in batteries. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.