YBa2Cu3O6+δ as an Oxygen Separation Membrane

Abstract

Appreciable oxygen permeability at elevated temperatures (650–850°C) allows the well-known high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O6+δ to be used as an oxygen separation membrane. Permeation of air through a YBa2Cu3O6+δ disk 1.2 mm thick gave an O2 stream in which N2 was barely detectable by gas chromatography. This technology may have potential applications in high-temperature oxygen-based industrial processes.