Inorganic borate host phosphor BaB2O4 doped with varying concentrations of Pb2+ has been prepared by a solution combustion synthesis technique. The synthesis is based on the exothermic reaction between the fuel (urea) and oxidizer (ammonium nitrate). The photoluminescence properties of prepared materials were studied at room temperature. Under the excitation of 240 nm, the phosphor BaB2O4:Pb2+ shows broad emission at 370 nm (corresponds to P-3(1) to S-1(0) transition). The optimum concentration of Pb2+ in BaB2O4:Pb2+ was found to be 0.02 mol (relative to Ba). The critical transfer distances, R-0 were calculated. Stokes shifts were calculated (using corresponding excitation and emission band peaks) to be 14,640 cm(-1). The emission bands of synthesized phosphors are in the ultraviolet (UV) region and could be potential candidates for application in UV lamps.