Strong blue-green light emitting Eu doped SrAl2O4 phosphor was synthesized by a low-temperature initiated, self-propagating and gas producing combustion process in a very short time (<5 min). The prepared powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The excitation spectrum shows a peak at 397 nm. Upon excitation at 397 nm, the emission spectrum exhibits a well defined broad band with maximum at 493 nm corresponding to 4f65d → 4f7 transition. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements at X-band showed low field signals due to Eu2+ ions in SrAl2O4:Eu. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.