V2O5-loaded Al2O3 layers were successfully grown via micro-arc oxidation (MAO) process for the first time. Surface morphology and topography of the layers were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). It was found that the composite layers had a porous structure with a rough surface which is suitable for catalytic applications. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques were also employed to study phase structure and chemical composition of the composite layers. The layers consisted of gamma-alumina, alpha-alumina, and vanadium pentoxide phases in which their relative contents varied with the applied voltage. Meanwhile, optical properties of the composite layers were investigated using UV-vis spectrophotometry technique, and the band gap energy was calculated as 3.15 eV. Furthermore, photocatalytic performance of the synthesized composite layers was determined by measuring the decomposition rate of methylene blue solution, as a model compound, on the surface of the layers under ultra violet photo-irradiation. It was found that more than 91% of the methylene blue was degraded after 120 min with a rate constant of k = 0.0192 min (1). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.