Oxygen permeability of asymmetric membrane of functional La0.8Sr0.2Cr0.5Fe0.5O3−δ(LSCrF)–Zr0.8Y0.2O2−δ(YSZ) supported on porous YSZ

An asymmetric membrane consisted of a thin functional layer and a thick support was developed for oxygen production and membrane reactors. The functional La0.8Sr0.2Cr0.5Fe0.5O3−δ(LSCrF)–Zr0.8Y0.2O2−δ(YSZ) layer was prepared by screen printing and the YSZ support by phase inversion tape casting. Performance of the membrane was evaluated under air/argon, air/CO and CO2/H2 gradient at 750–900 °C. The results indicate the membrane to have good chemical stability and considerable high oxygen permeability under stringent conditions. An oxygen permeation flux of 0.058, 0.175 and 1.198 ml (STP) cm−2 min−1 was obtained at 900 °C for operation under air/argon, CO2/H2 and air/CO gradient, respectively. The apparent activation energy for oxygen permeation was 131.22±19.74, 89.53±6.29 and 66.28±1.41 kJ/mol under air/argon, air/CO and CO2/H2 gradient respectively. The results suggest the membrane to have potential applications in the chemical reactor.