A novel phosphor, Eu 3+ -doped γ-LiAlO 2 , was successfully prepared by a facile sol–gel process. The synthesis, characterization and luminescence properties of the phosphor were detailed investigated. Based on powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results, pure phase tetragonal LiAlO 2 was obtained by sol–gel process at 800 °C and the sphere-like particles have the diameter of 1 μm and suffer from little aggregation. Luminescence test indicated that the γ-LiAlO 2 :Eu 3+ phosphor exhibited an intense characteristic luminescence of Eu 3+ ions, and the luminescence intensity of samples enhanced with the Eu/Li molar ratio increasing from 0.005 to 0.1.