PbCrO4 nanorods and nanoparticles with uniform size and morphology have been successfully synthesized via a simple wet chemical process by using different surfactants and organic additives, respectively. The products were characterized by the techniques of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the space groups of PbCrO4 nanorods and nanoparticles are P2(1)/n and Puma, respectively. Absorption spectra with broad absorption band and fluorescence spectra with strong emission peaks at 369, 406, 572 and 620 nm, respectively, were observed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.