Intense blue-light emission from hydrothermally synthesized lead zirconate titanate platelets

Well-crystalline Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 square platelets, with dimensions of about 1 × 0.65 × 0.16 μm3, have been synthesized by hydrothermal method at low temperature. X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectrometry, and field emission scanning electron microscope were employed to study the crystal structure and morphologies of the products. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to analyze the elemental composition of the products. The photoluminescence of the products showed a strong narrow blue-light emission at 453 nm and a weak one at 468 nm at room temperature. The possible mechanisms for the blue-light emission are proposed in this report. The photoluminescence of this ferroelectric material is one more interesting property for technological applications.