Eu3+ and Ba2+ co-doped Sr4V2O9 samples are prepared via a hydrothermal method and the structure, morphology, and photoluminescence properties are investigated. Sr4V2O9 is composed of disperse nano-rods. However, with Eu3+ and Ba2+ co-doping, nano-rods begin agglomerated and extend outward from the center to form a flower-like structure. Photoluminescence measurement indicates that Ba2+ dopants greatly enhance the emission intensity, for example, the enhanced emission intensity reaches for 234% when Ba2+ content is 5% for Sr4V2O9:Eu3+ (10%),Ba2+ (x%). However, with Ba2+ increasing further, the emission intensity decreases for Sr4V2O9:Eu3+ (10%),Ba2+ (x%) and Sr4V2O9:Eu3+(15%),Ba2+ (x%) samples, which is ascribed to the quenching behaviors. Further, CIE coordinates of (0.666, 0.333) for Sr4V2O9:Eu3+ (15%),Ba2+ (8%) sample, very similar to the (0.665, 0.334) coordinates for the commercial red phosphor Y2O3S:Eu3+, can be obtained. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.