Neodymium fluoride nanoflakes were successfully prepared by a facile liquid phase preparation with Nd(NO3)(3) and NaF as raw materials. In the process, oxalic acid acting as template agent was found to play important roles in the morphology of neodymium fluorides. The as-synthesized NdF3 nanoflakes were characterized by various techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer instrument (EDS). The fluorescent properties of neodymium fluoride nanoflakes were investigated, showing a strong luminescence emission peak at 402 nm by the excitation wavelength of 250 nm. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.