Single crystalline ammonium vanadium oxide bronze NH4V4O10 nanobelts were synthesized by the hydrothermal treatment of H2C2O4-2H(2)O and NH4VO3 at 140 degrees C for 48 h. The NH4V4O10 nanobelts were characterized using a combination of techniques including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electronic diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. The as-obtained nanobelts are several microns long, typically 30-40 nm wide, and 10-20 nm thick. The electrochemical properties of the nanobelts were tested in cells with metallic lithium as the negative electrode, the first discharge capacity of 171.8 mAh g(-1) was achieved. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.