Enhanced mechanoluminescence in Pr3+-doped LiNbO3-LiTaO3 ferroelectric phosphors

The elasticoluminescence (EML) performance is significantly influenced by lattice defects and piezoelectric properties, which can be effectively modulated through the incorporation of a certain amount of ferroelectric materials. In this study, a series of novel ferroelectric phosphors Li 0.97 Nb 1- x Ta x O 3 : 0.01Pr 3+ were synthesized via a conventional solid-state reaction method under ambient atmospheric conditions. The defects, piezoelectric properties, and their relationship with optical performance were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and dielectric measurements. The incorporation of Ta 5+ ions resulted in a reduction in ferroelectric domain size and an enhancement in dielectric properties, thereby improving piezoelectric performance. Moreover, the introduction of Ta 5+ ions induced the formation of new impurity defects, resulting in an increased concentration of defect complexes. Both the enhanced piezoelectric response and the higher density of defect complexes contribute to the improvement of mechanoluminescence performance. This study can present a viable strategy for the development of advanced mechanoluminescent materials.