Zn2SiO4:Mn powders were prepared by solid-state reaction using extracted SBA-15 as silica source. The well crystalline willemite Zn2SiO4:Mn can be obtained at 800 degrees C. much lower than the conventional solid-state reaction temperature and lower than using the calcined SBA-15. This can be attributed to the high reactive activity of the extracted SBA-15 due to its high density silanol groups, large surface areas, and non-crystalline structure. Ultraviolet (UV) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation spectra reveal the host lattice absorption band around 162 nm and the charge transfer transition band around 245 nm. The Zn2SiO4:Mn phosphor exhibits a strong green emission around 527 nm. The Zn2SiO4:Mn phosphor with an Mn doping concentration of 0.06, i.e., Zn1.94Mn0.06SiO4, shows the highest relative emission intensity. Upon 147 nm excitation, the luminescence decay time of the green emission of Zn1.94Mn0.06SiO4 around 527 nm is 8.87 ms. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.