Synthesis and photoluminescence of Eu, Mg-alon phosphors by carbothermal reduction

► We obtained AlON: Eu2+, Mg2+ phosphors by carbothermal reaction for the first time. ► Carbothermal reaction leads to less impurity and uniform particle size distribution. ► Phosphors reached 82% relative to that of famous BAM: Eu2+ phosphor. ► Luminescence color of the phosphors could be tuned by varying carbon content.