Synthesis and Photoluminescence Properties of Pr 3+ -Doped Ba 0.5 Ca 0.5 Ti x Zr (1-x) O 3 Perovskite Diphasic Ceramics Obtained by the Modified Pechini Method.

The Pr 3+ -doped solid solutions from (Ba,Ca)(Ti,Zr)O 3 (BCTZO) system were successfully synthesized using an efficient and low-energy consuming route-the Pechini method combined with the sintering at relatively low temperature (1450 °C). The obtained materials were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dielectric properties were systematically studied. The Pr 3+ -doped BCTZO diphasic material generates intense and broad red photoluminescence (PL) emission at room temperature. The optical properties were significantly improved with the Ti 4+ substitution by Zr 4+ ions. As a result, the Pr 3+ -doped (Ba,Ca)(Ti,Zr)O 3 ceramics is a promising candidate for environmentally friendly, multifunctional material by combining good dielectric and photoluminescent properties with prognosis for the manifestation of strong photoluminescent and mechanoluminescent effects.