Three primary colors upconversion phosphors in Y2O2S matrix of Y2O2S:Er, Y2O2S:Yb/Er, Y2O2S:Yb/Ho, Y2O2S:Yb/Eu and Y2O2S:Yb/Tm were prepared by flux method. SEM, XRD, UPL and CIE were used to characterize the particle morphology, phase composition, luminescent properties and the emitting light color. Through the optimization of active ion doping concentration, upconversion luminescent properties were promoted. The upconversion luminescent colors of the obtained phosphors were green/red for Y2O2S:Er and Y2O2S:Yb/Er, green for Y2O2S:Yb/Ho, red for Y2O2S:Yb/Eu and blue/red for Y2O2S:Yb/Tm. Different combinations of three primary colors upconversion phosphors were investigated to obtain white upconversion luminescence. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.