A series of red-emitting phosphors of Sc-2(MoO4)(3): x%Eu3+ have been successfully synthesized at 800 degrees C by solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectra and decay curves were used to characterize the structures and luminescence properties. In the excitation spectrum, the strongest absorptions of F-7(0) -> L-5(6) and F-7(0) -> D-5(2) match well with the emission wavelength of the near-ultraviolet InGaN and blue GaN chips. The CIE value of Sc-2(MoO4)(3): 40%Eu3+ sample reaches (0.665, 0334), which is very close to the NTSC standard (0.67, 033), demonstrating the highly pure red lights emitted. The decay curves of Eu3+: D-5(0) -> F-7(2) emission exhibit a bi-exponential function excited by a 266 nm nanosecond-pulsed laser resulting from the lattice distortion which can speed up electric dipole transition. The good excitation profile and pure red emission indicate Sc-2(MoO4)(3): Eu3+ is a promising red-emitting phosphor for its application in commercial white light emitting diodes. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.