Enhanced luminescence of novel Y2Zr2O7:Dy3+ phosphors by Li+ co-doping

► Novel Y2Zr2O7:Dy, Li phosphor was prepared by a facile sol-gel combustion method. ► The Y2Zr2O7:Dy, Li phosphor exhibits near cold-white emission under UV excitation. ► The major mechanism for concentration quenching of Dy3+ is the dipole-quadrupole interaction. ► The incorporation of Li+ ions into Y2Zr2O7 lattice could induce a remarkable increase of photoluminescence intensity.