The structural, morphological and optical properties of solvothermally synthesized Pr(OH)3 nanoparticles and calcined Pr6O 11 nanorods have been studied. Pr6O11 nanorods were grown by subsequent thermal decomposition of the synthesized Pr(OH) 3 nanoparticles at 700 C for 2 h. Structural analysis showed that the synthesized Pr(OH)3 nanoparticles possess hexagonal phase and calcined Pr6O11 nanorods have cubic fluorite phase. HRSEM images revealed that the Pr6O11 sample contains well-defined rod-like morphology. The UV-vis absorbance study of Pr 6O11 nanorods showed shape-dependent absorption edge toward higher wavelength as compared to Pr(OH)3 nanoparticles. The PL spectrum of Pr6O11 nanorods reveals the enhanced near-band-edge emission in the blue region, with significant defect level green emission. The mechanism for the formation of Pr6O11 nanorods from Pr(OH)3 nanoparticles has been proposed. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.