Electrochemical, photoluminescence and intensity parameters of LaOCl: Dy3+ for sensors and white light-emitting diode applications

•Dy3+ doped LaOCl phosphors were synthesized via a solid-state method.•Electrochemical Studies have been carried out and the EIS confirms the high charge-transfer resistance for the materials.•CV studies demonstrated that the produced electrodes have a good sensor capacity for detecting lead and tin in an alkaline solution.•The PL intensity increases up to 5 mol% and then decreased owing to dipole to dipole interaction.•CIE chromaticity diagram confirmed that these phosphors exhibit white luminescence.•J-O parameters and radiative parameters have been determined.