Eu 2+ ,Nd 3+ co-doped calcium aluminate with high brightness and long persistent luminescence was prepared by the combustion method. The luminescent properties of CaAl 2 O 4 -based luminescent materials have been studied systematically. The phosphor powders were further investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra (PL) and brightness meter. The analytical results indicated that the phase of CaAl 2 O 4 was formed when the initiating combustion temperature was 400 °C. The broad band UV excited luminescence of the CaAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Nd 3+ was observed at the blue region (λ max =440 nm) due to transitions from the 4f 6 5d 1 to the 4f 7 configuration of the Eu 2+ ion. The decay time of the persistence indicated that the persistent luminescence phosphor has bright phosphorescence and maintains a long duration.