Mechanical Characterization of BSCF, a Prospective Perovskite Material for Oxygen Separation Membrane: A Brief Review

Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-delta (BSCF) is a mixed ionic electronic conducting membrane (MIEC) material which can be used for the separation of oxygen from air in both coal gasification and oxy-fuel power plants. It shows the best oxygen separation performance at elevated temperatures (>800 degrees C). In this review paper, its mechanical behavior over a wide range of temperature is addressed. From the studies done so far, it is evident that BSCF shows a unique pattern in the temperature dependence of fracture toughness and Young's modulus. It poses a problem from the view point of structural stability of oxygen separation membrane, particularly during start-up period or thermal cycling. Number of possible explanations have been put forward in recent past but most of them are speculative in nature and lacks in experimental support.