Effect of γ-irradiation on structure and properties of Nd3+ doped Perovskite

•BaZrO3 Perovskite is a candidate host matrix for nuclear waste.•γ-irradiation study on rare earth doped BaZrO3.•Structure-property evaluation by spectroscopic and electron microscopic methods.•BaZrO3 Perovskite is resistant to γ-irradiation.

Perovskite is one of the potential host matrices for immobilization of high level nuclear waste. In the present investigation Nd3+ doped BaZrO3 materials were synthesized by conventional solid state route and their phase structure was evaluated by X-ray diffraction technique. Phase pure Nd3+ doped BaZrO3 materials were exposed to gamma radiation and their defects in structure as well as strain produced was measured. Structural defects and morphology before and after gamma irradiation were investigated using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis. Both undoped and Nd3+ doped BaZrO3 compositions showed excellent resistant to gamma irradiation with no change in structure, morphology and optical properties.