Poisoning effect of SO2 on the oxygen permeation behavior of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ perovskite hollow fiber membranes

The influence of SO2 in sweep gas on the oxygen permeation properties of the La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) perovskite hollow fiber membranes has been extensively investigated by a variety of characterization techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermo-gravimetric (TG) measurements are carried out over the membranes before and after the SO2 exposure. The results indicate that the oxygen permeability of the LSCF membrane decreases significantly or even completely disappear after the exposure to SO2. The significant poisoning effect of SO2 on the oxygen permeation through the LSCF perovskite membranes can be attributed to the decomposition of a thin layer of the membrane inner surface, leading to depressed surface exchange kinetics.