A new borate compound NaSr4(BO3)(3) doped with Ce3+, Mn2+ was prepared by a solid-state reaction at high temperature. The photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, low temperature emission spectra and decay curves of Ce3+, Mn2+ in NaSr4(BO3)(3) were studied. The PL properties of Ce3+, Mn2+ co-doped NaSr4(BO3)(3) were also investigated. NaSr4(BO3)(3):Ce3+,Mn2+ phosphors emit two distinctive colors: a blue band centered at 435 nm originating from Ce3+ and a red band at 660 nm caused by Mn2+. The results indicate that there exist energy transfer from Ce3+ to Mn2+ in the NaSr4(BO3)(3) doped with Ce3+, Mn2+ system. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.