Eu3+ and Tb3+ codoped Y2O3 submicron particles were prepared using the simple urea homogeneous precipitation method. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the synthesized particles to have a pure cubic Y2O3 structure. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy and field-emission transmission electron microscopy showed that the synthesized particles had almost uniform spherical shapes. The luminescence color emission of the synthesized particles could be tuned from red due to the effective D-5(0) -> F-7(j)(j = 0, 1,2 and 3) transitions within Eu3+ to green due to the D-5(4) -> F-7(5) transition within Tb3+ by switching the excitation wavelength from 255 to 310 nm. Luminescence quenching was observed at high dopant concentrations. Strong and effective color-tunable emission is expected to find a wide range of applications in industry. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.