Broadband near-infrared luminescence properties of Sc2(MoO4)3:Cr3+ molybdates

[Display omitted] •The structural and spectroscopic properties of Sc2(MoO4)3: Cr3 + were investigated.•The influence of synthesis conditions on the structural properties was studied.•The emission spectra of samples doped with 0.1–2.0 % of Cr3 + were investigated.•The broadband NIR luminescence from Cr3+ ions may be attractive for LED applications. The structural and spectroscopic properties of Sc2(MoO4)3 molybdate containing various concentrations of Cr3+ ions were investigated in a temperature range of 80–300 K. The samples were prepared using hydrothermal as well as solid-state reaction methods. The influence of synthesis conditions and the molybdenum source on the structural properties was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR (infrared), and Raman methods. The optical properties of Sc2(MoO4)3 samples doped with 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 % of Cr3+ ions were investigated. The broadband near-infrared (NIR) luminescence spectra generated from the 4T2 and 2E levels of Cr3+ ions may be attractive for NIR light-emitting diode (LED) applications. Emission decay profiles and the crystal field parameters of Cr3+ ions are discussed. In particular, the mechanism of photoluminescence generation and the thermal quenching path are described in detail.