Preparation and oxygen permeation properties of SrFe(Cu)O3−δ dense ceramic membranes

Mixed oxygen-ionic and electronic conducting membranes of SrFe(Cu)O3–δ were prepared by solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure, oxygen nonstoichiometry, and phase stability of the materials were studied by TGA and XRD. Oxygen permeation fluxes through these membranes were studied at operating temperature ranging from 750 to 950 °C. Results showed that doping Cu in SrFeO3–δ compound had a significant effect on the formation of single-phased perovskite structure. For SrFe1–xCuxO3–δ series materials, the oxygen nonstoichiometry and the oxygen permeation flux increased considerably with the increase of Cu-doping content (x = 0.1–0.3). The sintering property of the membrane decreased significantly when the Cu substitution amount reached 40%. SrFe0.7Cu0.3O3–δ showed high oxygen permeation flux, but SrCuO2 and Sr2Fe2O5 phases formed in the compound after oxygen permeation test induced cracks in the membrane.