Strong luminescence and high piezoelectric properties in Pr-doped (Ba0.99Ca0.01)(Ti0.98Zr0.02)O3 multifunctional ceramics

• The BCZT ceramics with Pr doped in A-site exhibit optimum electrical properties.
• BCZT-A ceramics show large piezoelectric constant d33 of 344 pC/N.
• BCZT-A ceramics exhibit strong red emission centered at 649 nm.
• The Pr doped in BCZT ceramics are promising lead-free piezoelectric candidates.

(Ba0.99Ca0.01)(Ti0.98Zr0.02)O3 (BCZT) and Pr-doped samples (Pr0.002Ba0.988Ca0.01)(Ti0.98Zr0.02)O3 (BCZT-A) as well as 0.998(Ba0.99Ca0.01)(Ti0.98Zr0.02)O3-0.002PrO1.5 (BCZT-W) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by conventional solid state reaction method. The structural, dielectric, piezoelectric, ferroelectric and luminescence properties of the Pr-doped BCZT ceramics were systematically studied. The orthorhombic-tetragonal (O–T) phase transition temperature decreased obviously, while Curie temperature (TC) maintained at 118 °C for both of the Pr-doped BCZT ceramics. The BCZT-A ceramics exhibited the best piezoelectric properties (d33 = 344 pC/N) and ferroelectric properties (Pr = 13.042 μC/cm2). Meanwhile, desired luminescence properties (bright reddish-orange light, emission peak centered at 649 nm) were obtained under an excitation of 448 nm at room temperature for BCZT-A and BCZT-W ceramics. The luminescence properties of the BCZT-A ceramics were better than those of the BCZT-W ceramics. Asymmetric structure, coexistence of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases at room temperature and less oxygen vacancies exhibited in BCZT-A ceramics could result in the improved piezoelectric properties and luminescence properties simultaneously. These results suggest that the BCZT-A ceramics have potential application as a multifunctional device by integrating its excellent electrical and luminescence properties.