Photoluminescence and piezoelectric properties of Pr-doped NBT–xBZT ceramics: Sensitive to structure transition

Lead-free (1 − x)Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3–xBa(Zr0.05Ti0.95)O3:Pr (NBT–xBZT:Pr, x = 0–0.12) were synthesized by conventional solid state method. The influence of Ba(Zr0.05Ti0.95)O3 (BZT) content on the piezoelectric and photoluminescence performance was investigated. The results show that all ceramics exhibit strong red emission at 607 nm, and the NBT–0.07BZT:Pr ceramic shows the optimal photoluminescence property. In addition, piezoelectric performance is also enhanced with the increasing of BZT fraction, and reaches the maximum value at x = 0.07. The results show that the Pr3+ ions emission may be used as a probe for the phase transition of the ferroelectric materials.

► All the NBT–xBZT:Pr ceramics exhibit a strong red emission at 607 nm.
► The piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties are improved by BZT substitution.
► The red emission is influenced by phase transition.