Al3+/Mg2+ doped Y2O3:Eu phosphor was synthesized by the glycine-nitrate solution combustion method. In contrast to Y2O3:Eu which showed an irregular shape of agglomerated particles (the mean particle size > 10 mu m), the morphology of Al3+/Mg2+ doped Y2O3:Eu crystals was quite regular. Al3+/Mg2+ substituting Y3+ in Y2O3:Eu resulted in an obvious decrease of the particle size. Meanwhile, higher the Al3+/Mg2+ concentration, smaller the particle size. In particular, the introduction of Al3+ ion into Y2O3 lattice induced a remarkable increase of PL and CL intensity. While, for Mg2+ doped Y2O3:Eu samples, their PL and CL intensities decreased. The reason that causes the variation of PL and CL properties for Al3+ and Mg(2+)doped Y2O3:Eu crystals was concluded to be related to sites of Al3+ and Mg2+ ions inclined to take and the difference of ion charge.