Novel phosphors of NaY(MoO4)(2) activated with the trivalent rare-earth Ln(3+) (Eu3+, Dy3+, Sm3+) ions were synthesized by facile hydrothermal method with further calcinations. The ultraviolet-visible and photoluminescence spectra of there compounds were characterized to study the optical properties. The electronic structure and orbital population of NaY(MoO4)(2) were determined by means of density functional theory calculation. The NaY(MoO4)(2):Ln(3+) (Eu3+, Dy3+, Sm3+) phosphors show strong light emissions with different colors coming from different Ln(3+) ions under blue excitation, which can be used as a potential candidate for white-light-emitting diode and other display devices. (C) 2011 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.012112jes] All rights reserved.