Eu_1.8La_0.2BaZnO₅: a Rietveld refinement using X-ray powder diffraction

The families of oxides with stoichiometry RE₂BaMO₅ (where RE is a trivalent rare earth, and M is Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pd²⁺ or Pt²⁺) are known as the green phases in studies of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductor ceramics. These oxides are not superconductors but nevertheless present interesting structural types. In this work, the synthesis and structural characterization using the Rietveld method applied to X-ray powder diffraction data for Eu_1.8La_0.2BaZnO₅ (europium lanthanum barium zinc oxide) are presented. The compound is isostructural with Y₂BaZnO₅. The two sites for Y³⁺ are occupied by Eu³⁺, while La³⁺ ions partially occupy one of these sites.