Mn4+ doped and Pr-3+,Pr-4+, Nd3+ co-doped MgAl2Si2O8-based phosphors were first of all synthesized about 1300 degrees C. They were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The luminescence mechanism of the phosphors, which showed broad red emission bands in the range of 610-715 nm and had a different maximum intensity when activated by UV illumination, was discussed. Such a red emission can be attributed to the intrinsic d-d transitions of Mn4+. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.