The LaB3O6:Eu3+ phosphors were prepared by calcining the precursors which were synthesized by boric acid melting method using rare earth oxide and boric acid as raw materials, and they were characterized by EDS, XRD, IR. SEM and PL The influences of reaction temperature for the preparation of precursor and subsequent calcination temperature and time of precursor on the luminescence properties of LaB3O6:Eu3+ phosphor were investigated. The results showed that the LaB3O6:Eu3+ phosphors with maximum luminescent intensity were obtained by calcining precursor at 1000 degrees C for 6 h, in which the precursor was prepared at 200 degrees C for 72 h. Compared with the conventional high temperature solid-state reaction method, the pure LaB3O6:Eu3+ phosphor can be obtained at relatively lower calcination temperature by the precursor method and exhibits much stronger emission intensity. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.