Enhanced blue luminescence in BaMgAl10O17:Eu, Er, Nd nanophosphor for PDPs and Mercury free fluorescent lamps

► Synthesis of Er3+/Nd3+ codoped BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ phosphor nanoparticles. ► An enhancement in blue emission of Eu2+ has been observed. ► Lifetime of the 4f65d → 4f7 transition has been measured and discussed. ► The enhancement has been explained by energy transfer and created defect states. ► This phosphor can find application in PDPs and mercury free fluorescent lamps.