Mg 1−x−y Sr y Al 2 O 4 :Eu x 2+ blue phosphor particles for white light-emitting diodes ͑LEDs͒ were prepared by a solid-state reaction method, and their luminescent properties were investigated with the change in the concentration of the activator and the composition of the host matrix. The phosphor particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and fluorescence spectrophotometer. The luminescence of Eu 2+ -activated MgAl 2 O 4 has shown a strong blue emission dominant peak around 460 nm, and the highest intensity was observed when the content of Eu 2+ was 2 mol %. The substitution of 1-10% Sr 2+ ions instead of the Mg 2+ greatly enhanced the 460 nm blue emissions, especially for samples excited by UV in the range of 350-400 nm. The optimized phosphor Mg 0.92 Sr 0.06 Al 2 O 4 :Eu 0.02 2+ has shown 10 times emission intensity compared with that of the Mg 0.98 Al 2 O 4 :Eu 0.02 2+ phosphor when they were excited by a 365 nm UV light. The luminescent properties of Mg 1−x−y Sr y Al 2 O 4 :Eu x 2+ were investigated by changing the ratio of Sr 2+ to Mg 2+ . For Sr 2+ -doped MgAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+, the photoluminescence increased by about 6%. The mechanism for the improvement was discussed. No obvious degradation problem of the synthesized Sr 2+ -doped samples due to the moisture in the laboratory atmosphere could be found.White light-emitting diodes ͑LEDs͒, the next-generation solidstate lighting, have attracted much attention due to their superior features such as quite a low power consumption, high efficiency, small volume, low maintenance, and being mercury-free. White LEDs have been widely used as backlights for electronic devices and are anticipated to replace traditional fluorescent lamps for general illumination as their efficiency and color-rendering properties are significantly improved. The most common white LED is obtained by combining a blue InGaN chip with a yellow cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet. 1 However, this type of white light has a low color-rendering index and no full range of visible light. This drawback limits the expansion of the LED application. Thus, phosphor materials with improved properties are greatly in demand.In recent years, MgAl 2 O 4 phosphors have brought great promise for their potential applications due to their mechanical strength, high resistance to chemical attacks, and excellent dielectric and optical properties. 2 Consequently, considerable efforts have been made to fabricate the MgAl 2 O 4 phosphors doped with transition-metal ions. The spinel crystals ͑MgAl 2 O 4 ͒ doped with transition metal ions such as Ni 2+ , Cr 3+ , Co 3+ , and Mn 2+ have been studied by various groups. 3-6 Meanwhile, MgAl 2 O 4 phosphors doped with rare-earth metal ions have also emerged as materials with great potential. 7 For example, Ce-doped MgAl 2 O 4 phosphors were prepared at 1350°C by the solid-state reaction method, using MgO, Al 2 O 3 , and Ce 2 ͑CO 3 ͒ 3 ·5H 2 O as the raw materials. 8 Red-emitting MgAl 2 O 4 :Eu 3+ phosphor...