The phosphors Gd(2-x)Eu(x)(MoO(4))(3)(x = 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80,1.0,1.2,1.4, 1.6,1.8, 2.0), Gd(0.8-x)Y(x)Eu(1.2)(MoO(4))(3)(x = 0. 1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8) and Gd(0.2)y(0.6-x)EU(1.2)Sm(x)(MoO(4))(3)(x = 0.02, 0.024, 0.028, 0.032, 0.036, 0.04) were prepared by solidstate reaction technique at 950 degrees C. The presence of the Y(3+) and Sm(3+) ions strengthen and broaden the absorption of the phosphors at similar to 400 nm. The intense red-emitting phosphor Gd(0.2)Y(0.572)Eu(1.2)SM(0.028)(MoO(4))3 with orthorhombic structure was obtained. Both EU(3+) and Sm(3+) f-f transition absorptions are observed in the excitation spectra, the main emission line is at 616 nm ((5)D(0)->(7)F(2) transition of Eu(3+) and the chromaticity coordinates (x = 0.66, y = 0.33) is very close to the NTSC standard values (x = 0.67, y = 0.33). It is considered to be an efficient red-emitting phosphor for GaN-based light emitting diode (LED). (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.