A novel single-phased white light emitting phosphor with single Eu2+ doped whitlockite structure

[Display omitted] •A novel single-phased white emission Ca19MgNa2(PO4)14: Eu2+ phosphor was designed.•The Eu2+ site occupation preference was detailly investigated and discussed.•Thermal quenching behavior and related mechanism were investigated in detail.•The fabricated WLED showed low color temperature and suitable CIE color coordinate. Exploring novel efficient single-phased full spectrum phosphor with individual activator doping for white light emitting diodes is highly significative and benefit for scientific activities. Herein, by designing and modifying the β-Ca3(PO4)2-type structure, the Ca19MgNa2(PO4)14: Eu2+ (CMNP) phosphor was proposed as a single-phased full spectrum white phosphor. The phase purity and clear crystal structure were then determined by employing the Rietveld refinement and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. PLE and PL spectra indicated CMNP: xEu2+ (0.1% ≤ x ≤ 1.0%) phosphors could be well fitted with 365 nm LED chip and exhibited a full spectrum emission band covering all visible lights of 400–750 nm belonging to the 5d−4f transitions of Eu2+. Further, the selective occupation of Eu2+ ions in different cation sites and luminescence kinetics depending on the Eu2+ dopants were characterized by theoretical calculation, Rietveld refinement results and decay curves. Finally, the WLED device fabricated by (near)-UV WLED chip and CMNP: 0.75 %Eu2+ phosphor could present excellent color temperature (6643 K) and CIE coordinate (0.308, 0.346). The current work manifests that Ca19MgNa2(PO4)14: Eu2+ had excellent luminescent property, which could be used in optical applications.