Flower-like Y2O3:Eu3+ microspheres with strong red photoluminescent emission were successfully synthesized through a controlled solvothermal approach followed by a subsequent heat treatment. The experimental results showed that the flower-like microspheres were composed of nanopetals with the thickness of about 50 nm, and the solvent properties as well as the characteristics of the reactants were very crucial for the morphology-controlled process. Meanwhile, the formation mechanism study revealed a possible assembly and etching process. In addition, their photoluminescence property investigation indicated that the flower-like products exhibited the strongest red emission corresponding to D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition (609 nm) among the synthesized samples, implying better photoluminescence property provided by the assembled spheres with higher crystallinity and better size-distribution and suggesting their potential application in optoelectronics. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.