A series of NaSr1 (-) xPO4:xTb(3+) phosphors doped with different Tb3+ concentrations was synthesized by microwave-assisted sintering and whose properties are compared to those prepared by conventional sintering. The crystal structure, photoluminescence and thermal stability of the phosphors were carefully investigated. XRD analysis confirmed the phase formation of all the NaSr1 (-) xPO(4):xTb(3+) phosphors. Microwave-assisted sintering was found to improve the sintering behavior, while providing more uniform particle morphology and good dispersion of the NaSr1 (-) xPO4:xTb(3+) phosphors so as to obtain a luminescence intensity greater than that obtained by conventional sintering. As opposed to powder prepared by conventional sintering and commercially available YAG:Ce3+ phosphors, the powder prepared using microwave-assisted sintering exhibited higher thermal stability. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.