Blue-emitting Eu2+-doped barium magnesium aluminate (BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+) for advanced displays and lighting devices was prepared by a microwave induced solution combustion synthesis using urea as combustion fuel and nitrates as oxidizer. Purity control of as-synthesized blue phosphor particles was undertaken by modifying the fuel to oxidizer molar ratio. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence were used to investigate powders crystallinity, particles size, morphology and luminescent properties, respectively. Fuel-rich urea reactions preferentially lead to pure phases compared to the powders synthesized with a stoichiometric fuel to oxidizer ratio. In both cases, we produce a nearly pure well-crystallized and nanostructured BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+. Photoluminescence measurements exhibit the characteristic blue emission of Eu2+ under UV light excitation however a weak red emission associated to Eu3+ is also detected. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.