Processing of thin film ceramic membranes for oxygen separation

Processing of dense and thin ceramic membrane layers for high temperature selective oxygen separation is addressed in this study. Mixed oxygen-ionic and electronic conducting perovskite oxide system based on La0.2Sr0.8Fe0.8Ta0.2O3−δ composition is employed for processing of structural and functional layers. Special focus is aimed at obtaining thin layer and final microstructure with particle size in the sub-micron range. Thin layer deposition is performed by dip coating technique using stable colloidal suspension of perovskite particles dispersed within ethanol media. Two polymer based surfactants were screened for their effect on particle agglomeration and rheological response. By using optimum quantity of 2.5 wt.% addition of selected surfactant it is possible to obtain dense 15–60 μm thick functional layers. The thermal cycle applied resulted in final particle sizes within sub-micron range. By employing suspension with pore former it was possible to significantly increase the surface area of the functional layer.