Hexagonal monodisperse NdPO4 nanorods with 300-500 nm in length and 30-50 nm in width were prepared through a facile citric acid-assisted hydrothermal reaction. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra and photoluminescence spectra at room temperature. The addition of citric acid did not influence the phase of samples and the luminescence of Nd3+ ions but promoted the 1D growth of NdPO4 crystals and increased the steric hindrance, leading to the forming of monodisperse nanorods. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.