The high temperature vanadium pentoxide phase, beta '-LixV2O5, was synthesized via a new chemical synthesis involving the evolution of vanadium oxides from the 600 degrees C. heat treatment of the pure LiVS2 in air. By employing this method of synthesis, well-crystallized, rod-shaped beta '-LixV2O5 particles 20-30 mu m in length and 3-6 mu m in width were obtained. Moreover, the surface of beta '-LixV2O5 particles was found to be coated by an amorphous vanadium oxysulfide film (similar to 20 nm in thickness). In contrast to a low temperature vanadium pentoxide phase (LixV2O5), the electrochemical intercalation of lithium into the beta '-LixV2O5 was fully reversible where 0.0 < x < 2.0, and it delivered a capacity of 310 mAhg(-1) at a current rate of 0.07 C between 1.5V and 4V. Good capacity retention of more than 88% was also observed after 50 cycles even at a higher current rate of 2 C. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.