Photoluminescence and electrical performance of smart material: Pr-doped (1 − x)(Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3–xCaTiO3 ceramics

The influence of CaTiO3 content on the piezoelectric and photoluminescence performance of the 0.3 mol% Pr-doped NBT–xCT (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08) ceramics was investigated. The results show that the NBT–xCT:Pr ceramic with x = 0.04 achieves the optimized photoluminescence and piezoelectric properties. A bright red emission at 610 nm and enhanced piezoelectric response are achieved in the ceramics at room temperature. Furthermore, the results show that the photoluminescence performance of the ceramics can be enhanced greatly by poling. The present study opens a way to enhance the photoluminescence of rare-earth doped ferroelectrics.

► Piezoelectric and PL performance of the ceramics are improved by CT substitution.
► The NBT–0.04CT:Pr ceramic shows the optimum piezoelectric and PL performance.
► The red emission is enhanced after poling.
► Poling is an effective approach to enhance the photoluminescence.
► The NBT–0.04CT:Pr ceramic is an excellent multifunctional smart material.