Eu2+ and Mn2+ co-doped SrSi2O 2N2 phosphors were firstly synthesized via a simple sol-gel method using low-cost SrCO3, Eu2O3, Mn(CH3COO)2 × 4H2O, α-Si 3N4 and C8H20O4Si (TEOS) as the starting materials. Their luminescence properties, quantum yield, and thermal stability were investigated in comparison with the single Eu 2+ doped samples. The green emission intensity of Eu2+ ions is greatly enhanced by introducing Mn2+ ions into SrSi 2O2N2:Eu2+ due to the coexcitation and energy transfer between Mn2+ and Eu2+. The energy transfer probability from Mn2+ to Eu2+ depends strongly on the Mn2+ concentration, which is maximized at 2.0 mol%. Mn 2+. Simultaneously, quantum efficiency and thermal stability in SrSi2O2N2:0.03Eu2+, 0.02Mn 2+ is dramatically improved. All these excellent optical properties indicate that SrSi2O2N2:Eu2+, Mn2+ synthesized in the present work is a promising green-emitting phosphor for white-light emitting diodes with near-UV LED chips. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.