Sm³⁺-doped KNNS ferroelectric ceramics with enhanced photoluminescence by polarization-field-modulation

Multi-functional luminescent ceramics on account of rare earth ion doped ferroelectric have attracted significant attention because of their great potential for application, but the luminous intensity is insufficient compared with that of traditional phosphors. In this work, the luminous intensity of Sm³⁺-doped KNNS ceramic has been enhanced by polarization as one non-chemical method. The results show that the photoluminescence intensity of the 0.75 mol% Sm³⁺-doped polarized ceramic has increased by about 10%, compared to that of the unpolarized samples, and thermal quenching appears at a higher temperature. Meanwhile, a detailed study on the phase composition, microstructure, optical performance, and polarization effect of the sample has been carried out, suggesting the enhanced photoluminescence may originate from symmetry reduction of lattice matrix by electric field polarization, which fortifies the tendency of electron transition. Hence, polarization-field-modulation is expected to blaze a trail in the synthesis of luminescent materials.