Europium ion doped monoclinic CaAl 2 O 4 phosphors were obtained at low temperatures (500°C) by the combustion of corresponding metal nitrate–urea mixtures, over a time of 5min. The product was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, TEM and SEM. Photoluminescence spectra revealed that europium ions were present in divalent oxidation states. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements at X-band showed the presence of fine structure transitions from Eu 2+ ions in CaAl 2 O 4 :Eu.