The red emitting phosphor Ba2Mg(BO3)(2): Eu2+ is prepared by the combustion-assisted method. An efficient red emission under conditions ranging from ultraviolet to visible light is observed. The emission spectrum shows a single intensive band centered at 610 nm, which correspond to the 4f(6)5d(1) -> 4f(7) transition of Eu2+. The critical quenching concentration of Eu2+ in Ba2Mg(BO3)(2): Eu2+ phosphor is about 0.05 mol. The corresponding concentration quenching mechanism is verified to be a dipole-dipole interaction. The value of the critical transfer distance is calculated as 17.32 angstrom, which is in good agreement with the value (18 angstrom) derived from the experimental data. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V.