Luminescence properties of a new blue-emitting phosphor Ce3+-doped CaLaGa3S7

► Firstly, this is the first report of a study of Ce3+ ions as activators in CaLaGa3S7 host. ► Secondly, the luminescence characteristics of Ce3+-activated CaLaGa3S7 phosphors were investigated in detail by photoluminescence excitation, emission spectra and the lifetime. ► Thirdly, the blue-emitting LED was firstly fabricated by combining an InGaN chip (395 nm) and a CaLaGa3S7:Ce3+ phosphor.