Enhanced photoluminescence and electrical properties of 0-3 type ZnO/Bi3.6Eu0.4Ti3O12 nanocomposite thin films

0-3 type ZnO/Bi3.6Eu0.4Ti3O12 (BEuT) nanocomposite films with ZnO nanopowders in BEuT host were prepared by chemical solution deposition. The effects of ZnO content on the structure, photoluminescence, and electrical properties of the films were investigated. The ZnO/BEuT molar ratio strongly affected the grain size and growth orientation of BEuT, dielectric and ferroelectric properties, as well as emission intensity. The nanocomposite films showed strong red emission peaks due to 5D0 → 7F1 and 5D0 → 7F2 transitions of Eu3+ ions. Good electrical properties with high dielectric constant of 480 (at 1 kHz) and large remanent polarization (2Pr) of 32 μC/cm2 were obtained for the nanocomposite films having a ZnO/BEuT molar ratio of 1:2. The mechanisms for enhanced photoluminescence and electric properties were discussed. The results suggest that the nanocomposite thin films are promising candidate materials for multifunctional optoelectronic devices.

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► 0-3 type ZnO/Bi3.6Eu0.4Ti3O12 nanocomposite films were prepared.
► The films showed strong red emission due to the energy transfer.
► High dielectric constant and large remanent polarization were obtained.
► The mechanisms for photoluminescence and electrical properties were discussed.
► The films are promising multifunctional materials for optoelectronic devices.