In　this　study,　Nb2O5　nanosheets　were　first　synthesized　using　NbO2　particles　as　the　precursor　via　a　simple　hydrothermal　route.　The　synthesized　Nb2O5　nanosheets　are　highly　crystalline　and　their　thicknesses　are　found　to　be　ca.　3-5　nm.　Based　on　the　experimental　results　of　XRD,　SEM　and　TEM　measurements,　a　possible　mechanism　for　the　formation　of　nanosheets　was　discussed.　An　electrode　materials　made　of　the　product　containing　Nb2O5　nanosheets　shows　a　larger　capacity　of　355　mAh　g(-1)　at　a　current　density　of　0.1　A　g(-1).　Cyclic　measurements　indicate　that　such　an　electrode　exhibits　a　high　reversible　charge/discharge　capacity　and　cycling　stability.　This　might　be　attributed　to　the　intrinsic　characteristics　of　Nb2O5　nanosheets.　(C)　2009　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.