Cr3+/Nd3+ co-activated LaMgAl11O19 phosphors have been synthesized by high temperature solid-state method. In the LaMgAl11O19:Cr3+/Nd3+ system, Cr3+ can absorb the UV-vis photons (350-650 nm), and then energy transfer takes place between Cr3+ and Nd3+ and finally the samples give near infrared emission originated from Nd3+. Energy transfer from Cr3+ to Nd3+ is discussed via the variations of the lifetime values of Cr3+, and the mechanism has been ascribed to the dipole-quadrupole interaction. The absorption of Cr3+ in the visible region and the following energy transfer from Cr3+ to Nd3+ indicated that the material can potentially serve as spectral convertors to improve the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of silicon-based solar cell. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.