A mechanoluminescent CdSiO3:Tb3+/PDMS composite elastomer with a deep trap

A CdSiO3:Tb3+ deep trap phosphor was prepared by a sol–gel method. The structural information of the prepared phosphors was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optical properties of the Tb3+-doped CdSiO3 nanophosphors were investigated by fluorescence spectrophotometry. The afterglow time was more than 10.3 h in the case of Tb3+ doping. The stress–strain of this elastomer was enhanced after the phosphor was compounded with PDMS, and the energy release in the trap was accelerated under external force after applying stress to it, and this composite elastomer may possess mechanoluminescent properties.