Single-phase and Dy3+/Eu3+ co-doped novel phosphor LiY(MoO4)(2-x)(WO4)(x):Dy3+,Eu3+, emitting white luminescence under near ultraviolet (NUV) light, was prepared through sol-gel method: The preparation and characterization of this phosphor were systematically studied by X-ray diffraction and spectrofluorophotometric measurements. The molar ratio of metal ions and citric acid (R-m/c) and calcination temperature greatly influenced the phase purity of sample, revealing that the pure phase could be obtained by using R-m/c = 1:2.5 and calcination temperature = 800 degrees C. Under NUV excitation, the as-prepared phosphor exhibited the emissions of 485, 572 and 612 nm, which intensities could be affected by the pH and the concentrations of molybdenum and tungsten ions. By doping appropriate concentrations of Dy3+ and Eu3+, white light emitting phosphor LiY(MoO4)(1.2)(WO4)(0.8):6%Dy3+,7%Eu3+ with good responsiveness to NUV light was obtained. The Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage chromaticity coordinates were calculated to be (x = 0.334, y = 0.322), close to the D-65 illuminant (x = 0.313, y = 0.329), indicating the potential application for NUV WLEDs. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.