Enhanced piezoelectricity and photoluminescence in Dy-doped Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 lead-free multifunctional ceramics

Abstract

Lead-free multifunctional ceramics of Ba 0.85 Ca 0.15 Ti 0.9 Zr 0.1 O 3-x mol% Dy have been prepared by an ordinary sintering method and the effects of Dy 2 O 3 doping on structure, piezoelectric, ferroelectric and photoluminescent properties of the ceramics have been studied. The ceramics possess a single phase perovskite structure. The grain growth of the ceramics is prohibited and the ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition at TC becomes more diffusive after the addition of Dy 2 O 3. Dy 2 O 3 doping improves the piezoelectricity of the ceramics and the optimal piezoelectric properties d33 = 335 pC/N is obtained at x = 0.5. The addition of 2 mol% Dy enhances the photoluminescent properties of the ceramics and strong emissions at ∼ 478 nm and ∼ 575 nm are observed. Our study shows that the ceramics with low Dy 2 O 3 levels exhibit simultaneously the strong piezoelectricity, ferroelectricity and photoluminescence and may have a potential application in mechano-electro-optic integration and coupling device.