A　simple　and　versatile　method　for　preparation　of　NH4V4O10　nanorods　is　developed　via　a　simple　hydrothermal　route.　NH4V4O10　nanorods　display　better　cycling　stability　than　NH4V4O10　microflowers　as　a　cathode　material　for　sodium-ion　batteries　because　of　the　changes　in　crystalline　structure,　which　would　be　in　favor　of　superior　discharge　capacity.　Furthermore,　the　enhancement　of　electrochemical　performance　for　NH4V4O10　nanorods　at　high　current　rates　is　offered　in　addition　of　fluoroethylene　carbonate　to　electrolyte.　Such　a　good　performance　results　from　the　improvement　of　reaction　kinetics　and　Na-ion　transfer　rate.　©　2014　Elsevier　Inc.