Luminescent properties of Eu3+ and Sm3+ activated M2SiO4 (M=Ba, Sr and Ca) red-emitting phosphors for WLEDs

► Eu3+ and Sm3+ doped M2SiO4 (M=Ba, Sr and Ca) red phosphors synthesized by a conventional solid state reaction. ► Ba2SiO4: Eu3+ phosphor has the strongest emission intensity and the best CIE chromaticity in the M2SiO4: Eu3+ phosphors. ► The emission intensity of Ca2SiO4: Sm3+ was the strongest in the M2SiO4: Sm3+ phosphors. ► The introduction of Li+, Na+ and K+ ions as charge compensator led to increased luminescent intensity. ► Li+ showed better efficient luminescent enhancement than Na+ and K+.