Nanocrystalline yttrium orthovanadate (YVO4): Eu powders with different morphologies were synthesized in basic media by surfactant-assisted hydrothermal process. The structures and optical properties of products were investigated using the X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Results showed that pH value played a key role in the formation of products with different morphologies. The photoluminescence measurement showed that the samples with different morphologies exhibited different properties. The dependence between the fluorescence and the microstructure was discussed. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.