Long-persistence silicate luminescent nanofibers doped with rare earths ( Sr2MgSi2O7: Eu2+, Dy3+) were successfully prepared via electrospinning technique combined with calcination method, and long-lasting silicate phosphors ( Sr2MgSi2O7: Eu2+, Dy3+) with the same stoichiometric proportion as the nanofibers were prepared by sol-gel method. The morphology, crystal structure, photoluminescence and thermoluminescence properties of the nanofibers compared with the phosphors were investigated. The average diameter of the Sr2MgSi2O7: Eu2+, Dy3+ luminescent nanofibers was 350 nm, and the whole shape of the nanofibers was consecutive which seemed like pearl necklace. The synthesis temperature of the Sr2MgSi2O7: Eu2+, Dy3+ luminescent nanofibers was 1100 degrees C which lower 200 degrees C than phosphors. The excitation spectrum of the nanofibers moved to short wavelength direction compared with the phosphors, and the nanofibers could reveal a bright blue light after been excited by UV light at 365 nm. The initial afterglow intensity of the nanofibers was 1.26 cd . m(-2), and the afterglow decay curve of the nanofibers was similar to phosphors. Even though the depth of the traps of the luminescent nanofibers was shallower than phosphors, the nanofibers still presented strong afterglow intensity and long decay time. (C) 2015 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.