Large electrostrictive effect and strong photoluminescence in rare-earth modified lead-free (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-based piezoelectric ceramics

In this study, new lead-free luminescent electrostrictive materials have been fabricated by introducing trivalent RE3+ (RE = Sm, Pr and Eu) as the activator into 0.93(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-0.07BaTiO(3) (BNBT7) ceramics. A high, purely electrostrictive effect with exceptionally good temperature-independent and fatigue-free behavior was obtained in RE-modified BNBT7 ceramics. These materials are also attractive for their strong photoluminescence with bright reddish-orange emission (RE = Sm) or red emission (RE = Pr, Eu) upon blue or green light excitation. These results suggest that this kind of materials has potential application as a multifunctional device by integrating its excellent luminescence and electrostrictive properties. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.