Eu3+ doped CaBi2Ta2O9 bismuth layered-structure ferroelectrics were synthesized by a solid state reaction method. Photoluminescence spectra exhibited a novel red-emitting centered at 615 nm under the excitation of 465 nm. The luminescence intensity of Ca1-xEuxBi2Ta2O9 increased with the increase of Eu3+ concentration until x = 0.15. Then the luminescence intensity decreased with the continuous increase of Eu3+ concentration. It is calculated that the thermal activation energy was 0.3 eV in the research on the thermal stability of the sample Ca0.85Eu0.15Bi2Ta2O9. In addition, an enhancement of luminescence intensity was observed in the sample doped with Sr (Ba, Nb). (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.