Core shell GdPO4: Ce3+/Tb3+ @ GdPO4 nanorods were synthesized via hydrothermal route in the presence of different surfactants [cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)]. The nanorods were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and photoluminescence (PL) studies. The X-ray diffraction results indicate good crystallinity and effective doping in core and core shell nanorods. SEM and TEM micrographs show that all of the as prepared gadolinium phosphate products have rod like shape. The compositional analysis of GdPO4: Ce3+/Tb3+ core was done by EDS. The emission intensity of the GdPO4: Ce3+/Tb3+ @ GdPO4 core shell increased significantly with respect to those of GdPO4: Ce3+Tb-/(3+) core nanorods. The effect of surfactant on the uniformity, thickness and luminescence of the core shell nanorods was investigated. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.