Exploration of crystal structure, and luminescence behaviors of Terbium-activated CaWO4 phosphor

•The Tb doped CaWO4 was prepared by solid-state reaction route and structurally analyzed by Rietveld refinement.•The excitation and spectra of the samples were analyzed and PL mechanism was explained.•Dexter theory was applied to determine the mechanism of quenching and it is confirmed that the concentration quenching is caused by the dipole-dipole interaction.•The CIE Chromaticity denoted that the phosphors emit red color. Color purity, CCT and quantum yield of the material were calculated.•The Thermoluminescence behaviors were studied and the kinetic parameters were calculated for all the phosphors.