Highly monodispersed vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanoparticles were prepared using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a surfactant through a non-aqueous synthesis route. The prepared sample was subjected to structural, morphological, elemental and optical property studies. The XRD pattern confirmed that the sample is phase pure with an orthorhombic structure. HRSEM and TEM images revealed that the sample contains highly monodispersed sharp edged particles in the size range of 25-30 nm. EDS and FTIR studies confirmed the composition and the presence of PEG on the prepared sample, respectively. Significant blue-shift was observed from the UV-DRS reflectance spectrum, which was further supported by PL studies. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.