Rare-earth ions (Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+) doped SrMoO4 nanoparticles were prepared by solvothermal route using oleic acid as surfactant to control the particle shape and size. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), photoluminescence spectra (PL) and the kinetic decay times were applied to characterize the obtained samples. The XRD patterns reveal that all the doped samples are assigned to the scheelite-type tetragonal structure of SrMoO4 phase. In addition, the as-synthesized SrMoO4:Ln (Ln = Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+) particles are high purity well crystallized and with the average size of 30-50 nm. The possible formation process of SrMoO4:Ln (Ln = Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+) nanoparticles have been discussed as well. Upon excitation by ultraviolet radiation, the as-synthesized SrMoO4:Ln (Ln = Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+) nanoparticles exhibit the characteristic emission lines of corresponding Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, respectively. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.