Targeting Zr6Nb2O17 ceramic material with integrated structure and function: From preparation to performance

Abstract

Herein, we report a kind of structural and functional integrated ceramic material with excellent mechanical and optical properties. A series of Er-doped Zr6Nb2O17 ceramic samples were prepared by the high-temperature solid-phase method, which showed reversible photochromism from light curry to dark brown under the alternating action of 365 nm UV light and heat treatment at 350 °C. The photochromic process is fully reversible and has good cyclic stability with a maximum photochromic contrast of 20.1%. The fluorescence modulation behavior based on the photochromic reaction can effectively modulate the emission of Er3+, and the maximum fluorescence modulation ratio reaches 62%. The best Vickers hardness and fracture toughness values of the prepared Zr6Nb2O17: Er ceramics reached 15.88 GPa and 4.5 MPa m1/2 respectively. The mechanisms of the observed photochromism, photoluminescence, and fluorescence modulation were studied systematically. This work is expected to provide significant guidance for the development of high-performance colored ceramic materials and broaden its market application field.