Different concentrations of trivalent praseodymium (Pr3+) ions activated GdAlO3 nanophosphors were synthesized by solvothermal reaction method. Thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were used to investigate the phase transformations that occur during the preparation of these phosphors. The morphology of the powder after heat treatment was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The luminescent studies on these compounds have been carried out from the measurements of their photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra. The PL spectra show blue-green emission corresponding to the f-f transitions of Pr3+ (P-3(0) -> H-3(4)) and red emission corresponding to the f-f transition of Pr3+ (P-3(0) -> H-3(6)) by monitoring the excitation with f-f transition of Pr3+ (H-3(4) -> P-3(2)) at 449 nm. Emission mechanism in these systems has also been elucidated by an energy level scheme. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.