Mechanoluminescence in (Sr,Ca,Ba)2SnO4:Sm3+,La3+ ceramics

• (Sr,Ca,Ba)2SnO4:La,Sm were prepared by solid-state reactions.
• ML and PL spectra, and thermoluminescence properties were investigated.
• Emission ascribe to the 4G5/2 to 6HJ (J = 5/2, 7/2, 9/2, 11/2) transitions of Sm3+.
• Traps are tuned in both trap depth and quantity.
• Traps are ameliorated in both trap depth and quantity by Ca2+ and Ba2+ substitution for Sr2+ and La3+ co-doping with Sm3+.

(Sr,Ca,Ba)2SnO4:Sm3+,La3+ phosphors were prepared by traditional solid-state reactions. Based on previous Sr2SnO4:Sm3+ phosphor, mechanoluminescence (ML) property was greatly enhanced by substitution of Ca2+, Ba2+ and codoped of La3+. Among the samples, (Sr0.7Ca0.27Ba0.03)1.92La0.06Sm0.02SnO4 showed excellent properties with intense ML and good linearity between the intensity and the load. ML spectrum of (Sr0.7Ca0.27Ba0.03)1.92La0.06Sm0.02SnO4 is consistent with the PL spectrum, ascribed to the 4G5/2 to 6HJ (J = 5/2, 7/2, 9/2, and 11/2) transitions of Sm3+ ions. Introducing Ca2+, Ba2+ and La3+ causes more lattice distortion or defects in the crystal grains, indicating traps can be controlled in both trap depth and quantity. Due to the improvement of traps in the system, ML performance is enhanced.