Luminescence properties in relation to controllable morphologies of Ba(3)[Ge(2)B(7)O(16)(OH)(2)](OH)(H(2)O):Eu(3+) and its thermal conversion product Ba(3)Ge(2)B(6)O(16):Eu(3+)

Three types of morphologies of Eu(3+)-doped Ba(3)[Ge(2)B(7)O(16)(OH)(2)](OH)(H(2)O) phosphors were obtained via hydrothermal reactions by different kinds of raw materials. In addition, Ba(3)Ge(2)B(6)O(16):Eu(3+) phosphors were obtained by calcining the precursor Ba(3)[Ge(2)B(7)O(16)(OH)(2)](OH)(H(2)O):Eu(3+). The structure and morphology of the obtained samples were characterized by XRD, EDS, FT-IR, TG-DTA, SEM and HRTEM. Herein, the effects of the synthesis parameters, including the reaction temperature, boron sources and the rare earth doping dosage, on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of Ba(3)[Ge(2)B(7)O(16)(OH)(2)](OH)(H(2)O) were investigated in detail. The lifetime and absolute quantum yield (QY) of different morphologies of Ba(3)[Ge(2)B(7)O(16)(OH)(2)](OH)(H(2)O):Eu(3+) were also measured. The PL properties of the Ba(3)Ge(2)B(6)O(16):Eu(3+) phosphor prepared by the precursor calcination method compared with those prepared by the high-temperature solid-state method are discussed.