Eu3+-activated AMoO(4) (A = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) phosphors were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. Photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as X-ray diffraction patterns were measured to characterize the fabricated samples. Under 393 nm excitation, strong red emissions located at similar to 615 nm corresponding to the D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition of Eu3+ ions were observed in all the samples. Compared with other Eu3+ ions activated AMoO(4) (A = Mg, Sr, Ba) phosphors, Eu3+-activated CaMoO4 phosphor exhibited the strongest red emission intensity with better Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage chromaticity coordinate and higher color purity. Furthermore, the CL results indicated that the Eu3+-activated CaMoO4 phosphor had excellent luminescence properties. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.