A novel approach for preparation of red-emitting europium-doped yttrium oxide phosphor (Y2O3:Eu) by using the bicontinuous cubic phase (BCP) process was reported in this paper. The BCP system was composed of anionic surfactant sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) and aqueous yttrium nitrate/europium nitrate solution. Energy dispersive spectrometer analysis revealed the homogeneous precipitation occurred in the BCP structure. Thermogravimetric analysis measurements indicated the precursor powder was europium-doped yttrium, hydroxide, Y1-xEux(OH)(3). Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed the precursor powder had a primary size about 30 nm and narrow size distribution. After heat treatment in furnace above 700 degrees C for 4 h, high crystallinity Y2O3:Eu phosphors was obtained. However, the primary size of particles grew to 50-200nm and the dense agglomerates with a size below 1 mu m were formed. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated the crystal structure of precursor powders and Y2O3:Eu phosphors were amorphous and body-centered cubic structure, respectively. The photoluminescence analysis showed that the obtained Y2O3:Eu phosphor had a strong red emitting at 612nm and the quenching started at a Eu concentration of 10mol%. This study indicated that the BCP process could be used to prepare the highly efficient oxide-based phosphors. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.