A series of high brightness orange-red phosphors beta-Ca2-xP2O7:xEu(3+) (x = 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, 0.12) were synthesized via solid state reaction in air atmosphere. The phase, morphology, photoluminescence properties and fluorescent thermal stability of the obtained phosphors were investigated. The chromaticity coordinates of the samples were calculated and located in the orange-red region. The intense emissions at 585, 591 nm (D-5(0) -> F-7(1)), 610 nm (D-5(0) -> F-7(2)) were observed under NUV excitation. Furthermore, the ratio of the emission of D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition to that of D-5(0) -> F-7(1) transition changed dramatically with varied Eu3+ concentration, indicating the existence of the site symmetry transformation of Eu3+ luminescence center in the matrix. The phosphors performed excellent properties at 423 K with temperature quenching at 473-573 K, and may be potential orange-red phosphor in lighting field. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.