Energy storage and photoluminescence properties of Sm3+-doped Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.90Zr0.10O3 lead-free multifunctional ferroelectric ceramics

Sm3+-doped Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.90Zr0.10O3 (BCTZ:xSm(3+), x=0.0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0%, mole fraction) ceramics were synthesized using the conventional solid state reaction method, and their microstructure, ferroelectricity, energy storage performance, and photoluminescence (PL) properties were systematically investigated. The results showed that the mean grain size of the ceramics decreased obviously and the density increased significantly after the addition of Sm3+. All ceramics exhibited typical ferroelectric properties. Moreover, with the further increase of doping amount, the remanent polarization (Pr) gradually decreased to 8.432 mu C center dot cm(-2) (BCTZ: 1.0%Sm3+), and the ferroelectricity was suppressed. The energy storage density of BCTZ:1.0%Sm3+ ceramic was improved by ca. 49.0% compared with that of pure BCTZ ceramic. In addition, BCTZ:xSm(3+)ceramics exhibit strong orange -red luminescence at about 596 nm under light excitation at 408 nm, and the PL intensity can be adjusted by 449%.