Ferroelectric order driven Eu3+ photoluminescence in BaZrxTi1−xO3 perovskite

The ability to tune and enhance the properties of luminescent materials is essential for enlarging their application potential. Recently, the modulation of the photoluminescence emission of lanthanide-doped ferroelectric perovskites by applying an electric field has been reported. Herein, we show that the ferroelectric order and, more generally the polar order, has a direct effect on the photoluminescence of Eu 3+ in the model BaZr x Ti 1−x O 3 perovskite even in the absence of an external field. The dipole arrangement evolves with increasing x from long-range ferroelectric order to short-range order typical of relaxors until the non-polar paraelectric BaZrO 3 is achieved. The cooperative polar interactions existing in the lattice ( x