Synthesis of BSCFO Ceramics Membrane Using a Simple Complexing Method and Experimental Study of Sintering Parameters

A new complexing agent Ethylene Diamine N,N′,N′,N′-Tetra N-Acetyl Diamine(EDTNAD), was used for Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3–δ(BSCFO) synthesis. Some chemicals such as ammonia, nitric acid and citric acid were eliminated in comparison to the commonly used EDTA method. This agent makes complexing synthesis method a single step and causes more homogeneity in the liquid and solid phase. The sintering process was studied at temperatures between 1000 to 1200°C, heating-cooling rates of 1, 2, 5, 10°C/min and dwell time of 2, 5, 10 and 15 h. As-sintered membranes were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and density analysis. From the SEM images and X-ray diffraction of the BSCFO disks, it could be seen that above 1100°C, crystal intensity decreased, and melting and deformation of the disk occurred. The results show that in restricted temperature range, 1000–1100°C, 10% temperature increase leads to about a 4.5% density increase but a 200% increase in dwell time leads to about a 4% density increase. It could be concluded that the effect of temperature on grain growth, porosity and density is more than that of dwell time. Results also showed that the heating-cooling rate has no significant effect on grain size and density.