A novel series of Ba0.5Sr0.5Al0.2−xMgxFe0.8O3−ξ (x ≤ 0.2) membranes for oxygen permeation application

The pervoskite-type oxides have received attention due to their potential applications in catalysis, fuel cells, sensors, gas separable membranes, and electrolytes. In view of the importance of oxygen separation from air, stable Ba0.5Sr0.5Al0.2−xMgxFe0.8O3−ξ (x = 0–0.2) powders have been synthesized by decomposition of sol–gel derived oxalate at 950 °C for 5 h and characterized with regard to formation, nature of iron species, oxygen permeation, and electrical conductivity. It is shown that magnesium substitution leads to (i) a stable perovskite-type cubic phase with ‘a’ = 3.953–3.978 Å, (ii) weakening of metal–oxygen bond, (iii) reduction of Fe4+ ions, and (iv) enhancement of oxygen deficiency and electrical conductivity. Their compact discs act as stable oxygen permeable filters with flux density of ∼3.013–3.355 μmol cm−2 s−1 at 1000 °C. The maximum value corresponds to composition x = 0.2 and hence can be a potential membrane for oxygen separation technology.