Vanadium pentoxide nanorods assemblies were synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis, combined with subsequently annealing treatment. The structure and morphology of the nanorods were characterized by XRD, FESEM and HRTEM, and the electrochemical properties of the electrodes made from the V2O5 nanorods were investigated. The V2O5 nanorods with an average diameter of 100 nm and lengths up to several micrometers are almost parallel distributed in the assemblies. The V2O5 nanorods assemblies exhibit an initial discharge capacity of 330 mA hg(-1) at a current density of 50 mA g(-1), which is very higher than that of the separated V2O5 nanorods. The V2O5 nanorods assemblies also show a lower capacity fading rate in comparison with the separated V2O5 nanorods. A low polarization of the charge transfer reaction and a high diffusion rate of lithium ion inside the electrode composed of the paralleled nanorods are considered responsible for the enhanced capacity. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.