A novel red phosphor Ca12Al14O32Cl2:Eu3+ was synthesized using a solid-state reaction method, and its luminescence characteristics and charge compensators effect (Li+, Na+, K+) were investigated. The excitation spectra showed a obvious absorption in near-ultraviolet region. Under 392 nm excitation, the phosphors exhibited an intense red emission at 614 nm. The Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates and quantum efficiency (QE) were (0.65, 0.35) and 62.3%, respectively. The good color saturation, high quantum efficiency and small thermal-quenching properties indicate that Ca12Al14O32Cl2:Eu3+ could be potentially applied in near UV white light-emitting diodes. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.