Following recent works leading to the preparation of nanosized VO2.H2O and monoclinic rutile-type VO2(M), we used a similar method to14 evaluate the electrochemical properties vs. lithium of such divided materials. Thus, we were able to control the morphologies of the pink VO2.H2O particles through a control of the temperature used during the hydrothermal treatment. Moreover, a careful treatment of these phases led to the formation of rutile-like VO2(M) with "dandelion" morphology. While previously reported inactive as bulk material, this phase reversibly reacts with lithium with a stable capacity of 120 mA h/g for a sample prepared at 340 degrees C. Furthermore, the study of the hydrate shows an influence of the morphology on the electrochemical properties. This work thus clearly underlines the influence of texture on the lithium insertion properties capabilities. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.