High-quality (Y,Gd)VO4:Eu,Zn phosphors were synthesized by the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method using an organic additive of ethylene glycol:citric acid = 0.5:0.5. The annealed (Y,Gd)VO4:Eu,Zn phosphors crystallized in the tetragonal zircon type structure (a = b = 7.143 angstrom and c = 6.310 angstrom). The emission of the electric dipole D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition (615 and 619 nm) for the phosphors was stronger than that of the magnetic D-5(0) -> F-7(1) transition (594 nm), indicating high-purity red color emission. The addition of a small amount of Zn and high annealing temperature (1150 degrees C) resulted in improved photoluminescence properties. We demonstrate that the new (Y,Gd)VO4:Eu,Zn can be prospectively utilized as red phosphor for plasma display panels. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.