High CO2 tolerance oxygen permeation membranes BaFe0.95-xCa0.05TixO3-delta

A high CO2-tolerance oxygen permeation membrane BaFe0.95-xCa0.05TixO3-delta (BFCT, x = 0.05-0.15) was designed and prepared. Single cubic perovskite phase can be maintained up to the doping level x = 0.15. The Ti substitution enhances significantly the CO2 tolerance and improve the structural stability under H-2 containing atmosphere of BFCT materials. With increasing Ti doping level, the oxygen vacancy concentration decreases and the oxygen ion migration energy increases, leading to a slight decrease in oxygen permeability of BFCT materials. Nevertheless, the sample BaFe0.8Ca0.05Ti0.15O3-delta delivers a high oxygen permeation flux of 1.02 mL min(-1) cm(-2) at 950 degrees C for 1 mm thick membrane. The Ti substitution alleviates the lattice oxygen loss and reduces the thermal expansion coefficient of BFCT. A combination study of experimental measurements and first principles calculation was conducted to advance the understanding of Ti effects on the electrical conductivity behavior in BFCT. The BFCT membranes show an excellent long-term operation stability. The high oxygen permeability, good structural stability under CO2 and reducing atmosphere make the BFCT (x = 0.15) a promising membrane for oxygen separation applications.