The hydrothermal growth of crystalline beta-V2O5 microstructures was performed on fluorine doped tin dioxide glass substrates using oxalic acid to adjust the pH of the solution for various deposition periods. It was observed that the sample grown for 48 h at pH 2 exhibited the best electrochemical response in terms of the highest specific charge and capacitance, being 772 C g(-1) and 386 F g(-1), respectively. The importance of achieving high crystalline quality samples and increased surface area toward the improvement of the electrochemical performance of beta-V2O5 is highlighted. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.