Strong Elastico-Mechanoluminescence in Diphase (Ba,Ca)TiO3:Pr3+ with Self-Assembled Sandwich Architectures

(Ba,Ca)TiO3:Pr3+ diphase ceramics with the self-assembled piezoelectric/phosphor/piezoelectric sandwich architectures have been synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. Their structure, elastico-mechanoluminescence (EML) property, and trap energy levels are characterized. In the diphase region, strong EML has been obtained and optimized. The relation between EML and electroluminescence (EL) has been investigated. The EML phenomenon under the strong pressure is explained by the piezoelectrically induced EL model. Whereas, the mechanoluminescene mechanism under the weak pressure is discussed using the piezoelectrically induced charge detrapping model. (C) 2010 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/1.3496667] All rights reserved.