Flower-like LaPO4:Ln3+ (Ln = Ce, Tb) hierarchical architectures composed of polygon prisms originated from the same center have been prepared by direct precipitation in solution-phase under moderate conditions. CTAB and citric acid were chosen as surfactant and chelating reagent, respectively. It is found that the addition of CTAB plays an important role in controlling the flower-like morphology of the products. The factors that influence the morphology and the luminescent properties of the products have been investigated in detail. The evolution of the morphology of the products has been studied and a possible formation mechanism of the flower-like structure was proposed according to the time dependent experimental results and analysis.
