Photoluminescence properties in Sm doped Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3 ferroelectric ceramics

Sm3+ ions doped Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3 (BNTO: xSm3+) polycrystalline samples with different Sm3+ concentrations were synthesized through the solid-state reaction method. Their microstructural, photoluminescence, and ferroelectric (FE) properties were investigated. Strong reddish-orange emission centered at 597 nm has been successfully observed at room temperature. More importantly, the strong emission of BNTO: xSm3+ can be excited by both blue light and near ultraviolet radiation which indicates that BNTO: xSm3+ can act as a potential phosphor. Furthermore, the optimized photoluminescence is realized in BNTO: xSm3+ with x=0.02 sample which also shows relatively good ferroelectric properties.