GdCaAl3O7 : Eu nanoparticles were synthesized using a metal nitrate solution with glycine as fuel. X-ray diffraction (XRD), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a photoluminescence spectrophotometer (PL) were used to characterize the products obtained. XRD patterns revealed that a pure GdCaAl3O7 : Eu phase was formed by combustion of the metal nitrate solution in the presence of glycine at pH = 4. The appearance of spongy agglomerates indicates large amounts of exhaust gases and intense ignition of the powder obtained. SEM and TEM images showed that the agglomerates consisted of nanoparticles and 5-10 nm nanopores. An investigation of the chromaticity of the synthesized naophosphors showed that all samples synthesized at pH = 1 (after calcination), pH = 3 and pH = 4 have a red emission under 245 nm UV lighting. Furthermore, the synthesized sample at pH = 1 (after calcination) and the sample synthesized at pH = 4 have almost the same CIE chromaticity xy values.

Keywords: Combustion, Nanostructure, Red phosphor, GdCaAl3O7 : Eu, CIE xy chromaticity, Photoluminescence