Optical Performance of PVDF/BCTH:0.005Sm³⁺ Composite Film via Hydrothermal Method and Scraping Process

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/[(Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)_0.995Sm_0.005](Ti_0.9Hf_0.1)O₃ (BCTH-0.005Sm³⁺) composite films with different BCTH-0.005Sm³⁺ filling amount were prepared via hydrothermal method and solution tape scraping process. The effects of BCTH:0.005Sm³⁺ filling amount were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) transmission spectrum and photoluminescence spectrum. XRD confirms appropriate amount filling of BCTH:0.005Sm³⁺ promoting formation of β-phase, and FTIR reveals coupling between PVDF matrix and BCTH:0.005Sm³⁺ filler in the composite films. BCTH:0.005Sm³⁺ nanopowder filling increases optical transmittance, widens visible light region, and induces redshift of maximum absorption of pure PVDF. Emission intensity and fluorescence lifetime increase first and then decrease with increasing BCTH:0.005Sm³⁺ filling amount, and one-photon assisted down-conversion process dominates fluorescence emission in the PVDF/BCTH:0.005Sm³⁺ composite films. Overall, filling 2 wt% BCTH:0.005Sm³⁺ nanopowder is more helpful to improve comprehensive performance of the composite films, broadening prospect application in electrical and optical multifunctional fields.