CuIn(WO4)2 porous nanospindles and nanorods were synthesized through a low-cost hydrothermal method without introducing any template or surfactants. An interesting formation mechanism, namely “oriented attachment”, was observed for the growth of nanorods based on the experimental process and the anisotropic intrinsic crystalline structure of CuIn(WO4)2, which is uncommon in such a system. The near-infrared luminescence of lanthanide ions (Er, Nd, Yb and Ho) doped CuIn(WO4)2nanostructures, especially in the 1300–1600 nm region, was discussed and of particular interest for telecommunications applications. X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize these materials.
