Here we present the results of the study of fundamental absorption edge temperature dependence of CaMoO4, SrMoO4, PbMoO4, Pb2MoO5 and MgMoO4 molybdates. The dependencies were approximated using Urbach formula. It was shown that parameter E0 obtained from approximation can be used for the estimation of molybdates bandgap.

Luminescence properties of calcium and strontium molybdates, undoped as well as doped with Nd3+ ions were studied. The influence of temperature on the energy transfer processes from the intrinsic emission centers to activator is shown on the basis of the analysis of the temperature dependencies of luminescence spectra and decay kinetics. It is concluded that the studied compounds are promising for non-contact luminescent thermometry in a wide temperature range.