New phosphors M-2(Mg, Zn)Si2O7:Mn2+ (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) were prepared by sol-gel process, and their luminescent properties in ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet region were investigated. The results showed that the (Ca, Sr, Ba)(2)MgSi2O7:Mn2+ samples did not emit any visible light; the Sr2ZnSi2O7:Mn2+ and Ca2ZnSi2O7:Mn2+ samples showed green light. The Ba2ZnSi2O7:Mn2+ sample mainly showed green light under 254 nm excitation and red light under 147 nm excitation. The different emission was due to the Mn 21 ions occupied different sites, which were excited selectively. Among the three phosphors Sr2ZnSi2O7:Mn2+, showed the highest green emission intensity, and its decay time was shorter than that of Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ under 147 nm excitation. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.