Y2O3 rods 100 to 200 nm in diameter and 10 to 20 mum in length are accessible via polyol-mediated synthesis of a precursor material with similar shape. By heating of Y(CH3COO)(3).xH(2)O and a defined amount of water at 190degreesC in diethylene glycol, the rod-like precursor material is formed. Infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermal gravimetry (TG) evidence that this precursor material still contains acetate. However, the precursor material can be transformed to Y2O3 by sintering at 600degreesC without destruction of the rod-like shape. According to X-ray powder diffraction analysis, the rods are well crystallized. They can be assumed to be with [100] orientation. By doping with Eu3+ (5 mol%), red emitting phosphor rods can be realized. With optical spectroscopy the typical line emission of Eu3+ is observed. Diffuse reflectance of Y2O3:Eu3+ rods is determined to be higher than 95% in the visible. While exciting at 254 nm (Hg-discharge), a quantum efficiency of 38.5% is proven for the prepared Y2O3:Eu3+ rods. (C) 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers.