[en] Nanopowders of SrAl₂O₄ and SrAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺ were prepared via a proteic sol-gel methodology. The prepared materials presented a single crystalline phase, confirmed by XRD measurements. AFM results indicate that the average particle size is about 53 nm. X-ray absorption spectra show the typical absorption associated with the L₂ and L₃ Sr and the L₃ Eu edges. X-ray excited optical luminescence - XEOL emission showed the same spectra in both X-ray energy ranges around the L₂/L₃ Sr or the L₃ Eu edges. The XEOL spectrum is composed of an intense peak around 515 nm followed by a weaker emission peaking at 624 nm. The first XEOL peak is due to the emission of Eu²⁺, while the second one is due to Eu³⁺ 4f-4f transitions. The irradiated samples exhibited a persistent radiation damage that changes the colour of the sample and also influenced the reduction in the scintillation efficiency