Sphere- and rod-shaped Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ phosphor nanocrystals were synthesized at 230 degrees C. The process consists of tuning the surfactant concentration in the oil/surfactanUethanot system. Powder X-ray (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the phase purity, size and morphology. Photoluminescent (PL) spectra were collected and analyzed. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of the samples indicate the removal of surfactant in the phosphor nanoparticies. As a result, the sphere-shaped phosphor nanoparticles of 100 nm in size can be redispersed in ethanol ultrasonically. The suspension maintain stable for over 48 h. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.