Photoluminescence properties of a green to red-emitting Eu3+, Tb3+ co-doped CaBi2Ta2O9 ferroelectrics

The CaBi2Ta2O9 bismuth layered-structure ferroelectrics doped with rare earth ions Eu3+ and Tb3+, or co-doped with Eu3+/Tb3+ were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method. The microstructure and photoluminescence properties of CaBi2Ta2O9: Eu3+, CaBi2Ta2O9: Tb3+ and CaBi2Ta2O9: Eu3+/Tb3+ were investigated. The XRD patterns demonstrate that the rare earth ions have been effectively doped into CaBi2Ta2O9 host lattices. The photoluminescence properties of CaBi2Ta2O9 with different activator ions are researched in details. The novel red and green light emissions were observed under the excitation of blue and near-UV light. Notably, tunable emissions and a warm-white color have been achieved in the Eu3+ and Tb3+ co-doped CaBi2Ta2O9 powders. These results suggest that CaBi2Ta2O9: Eu3+, CaBi2Ta2O9: Tb3+ and CaBi2Ta2O9: Eu3+/Tb3+ could be novel luminescence materials. It is also expected that rare earth doped CaBi2Ta2O9 ferroelectrics can find potential applications in new multifunctional photoluminescence ferroelectric devices.