LaB3O6:Bi,Gd and YBaB9O16:BLGd phosphors were synthesized by the combustion synthesis method. The phase analysis of all synthesized materials was determined using the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Photoluminescence properties were systematically investigated. Both the samples show the characteristic narrow -band UVB emission of Gd3+ ions (P-6(J) -> S-8(7/2)). The maximum intensity of luminescence in synthesized materials was investigated. The energy transfer mechanism was studied using Bi3+ as sensitizer. The stoke shift in these two phosphors were calculated to be 7060 cm(-1) and 5680 cm(-1), respectively. The phosphors could be excellent phototherapy phosphor materials. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.