EuF3 and TbF3 were successfully coated on the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) via the intermediate of noncovalent hydrophobic interactions of the MWNTs surface with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SIDS). They were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The nanoparticle sizes of rare earth fluorides on MWNTs are less than 10 nm. The photophysical properties of the composites were investigated, which indicated the rare earth fluorides/MWNTs composites exhibited the optical transitions within the 4f shell of the rare earth ions. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.