Ion exchange reactivity of layered vanadates was investigated using the metal ions Na+, K+ and Ag+. Amorphous phases were obtained with the alkali metal ions whereas in case of silver, formation of stable beta-AgVO3 rods coated with silver nanoparticles was observed. In this paper, we report a detailed analysis of nanostructured silver vanadate using high-resolution electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.