Photoluminescence and ferroelectric properties in Eu doped Bi4Ti3O12–SrBi4Ti4O15 intergrowth ferroelectric ceramics

Abstract

Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra monitored at 614 nm and photoluminescence (PL) spectra excited at 464 nm of BIT–SBTi: x Eu 3+ with x = 0.7 at room temperature. The left inset of this Figure shows a polarization–electric field ( P–E ) hysteresis loop of x = 0.7. The right inset of this Figure gives a luminescence photograph of x = 0.7 under the excitation of a blue light. • Photoluminescence of the BIT–SBTi: x Eu 3+ ceramics were first reported. • Bright red emission excited by blue light has been observed at room temperature. • Enhanced ferroelectric and dielectric properties were obtained for BIT–SBTi: x Eu 3+ . A series of Eu 3+ doped intergrowth Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 –SrBi 4 Ti 4 O 15 (BIT–SBTi: x Eu 3+ ) (0.0 ⩽ x ⩽ 4) ceramics were prepared through a solid-state reaction method. Contrast with conventional ferroelectric (FE) research, here, we report the photoluminescence (PL) properties of BIT–SBTi: x Eu 3+ system for the first time. Bright red emission was observed at room temperature. It should be noted that the red emission of BIT–SBTi: x Eu 3+ can be excited by both blue light and near ultraviolet (NUV) radiation. Optimized emission intensity was obtained when x = 2 for BIT–SBTi: x Eu 3+ . Moreover, the FE and dielectric properties of BIT–SBTi: x Eu 3+ were also investigated. BIT–SBTi: x Eu 3+ with x = 0.7 ceramic exhibits optimized FE and dielectric behavior. The multifunctional properties of BIT–SBTi: x Eu 3+ ceramics were confirmed in this work.