Highly monodispersed SiO2@Lu2O3:Eu3+ core-shell microspheres were successfully synthesized by coating the Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanopartides onto the surface of non-aggregated spherical SiO2 particles via a simple solvothermal method, followed by a subsequent calcination process. The as-prepared phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), thermal analysis (TGA-DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence spectra (PL). The as-obtained core-shell microspheres show strong red emission corresponding to the D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition of the Eu3+ ions under ultraviolet (UV) excitation, which may have potential applications in light-emitting phosphors, field emission displays, advanced flat panel displays and biological labeling. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.