Phase Stability of The Mixed-Conducting Sr-Fe-Co-O System

Abstract

Mixed-conducting ceramic oxides have potential uses in high-temperature electrochemical applications such as solid oxide fuel cells, batteries, sensors, and oxygen-permeable membranes. The Sr-Fe-Co-O system combines high electronic/ionic conductivity with appreciable oxygen permeability at elevated temperatures. Dense ceramic membranes made of this material can be used to separate high-purity oxygen from air without the need for external electrical circuitry, or to partially oxidize methane to produce syngas. Samples of Sr2Fe3-xCoxOy (with x = 0,0.6,1.0, and 1.4) were prepared by solid-state reaction method in atmospheres with various oxygen partial pressures (pO2) and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and electrical conductivity testing. Phase components of the sample are dependent on cobalt concentration and pO2. Electrical conductivity increases with increasing temperature and cobalt content in the material.