Sr3Al2O6 Ce3+ phosphors were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method under mild reducing atmosphere of activated carbon The effects of H3BO3 flux on the luminescence intensity and the optimum concentration of Ce3+ for luminescence property have been investigated The effect of a small amount of charge compensators like Li+ Na+ K+ and Rb+ on Sr3Al2O6 Ce3+ phosphor has also been studied Sr3Al2O6 Ce3+ R+(R= Li Na K and Rb) exhibit superior blue emission around 460 nm to Sr3Al2O6 Ce3+ and can be effectively excited by 395 rim light which implies that efficient charge compensation can promote the luminescence of Ce3+ in Sr3Al2O6 The Sr3Al2O6 Ce3+ R+ (R = Li Na K and Rb) have potential application as a blue phosphor for n-UV chip excited white LEDs (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved