Upconversion white luminescence of TeO2:Tm3+/Er3+/Yb3+ nanoparticles

► TeO2 nanoparticles were used as the host materials to prepare TeO2:Tm3+/Er3+/Yb3+ nanoparticles. ► Upconversion luminescence of TeO2:Tm3+/Er3+/Yb3+ nanoparticles was investigated. ► The combination of blue, green and red emissions resulted in the white luminescence. ► The calculated CIE color coordinates of the TeO2:Tm3+/Er3+/Yb3+ nanoparticles fell well within the white region.