CERAMIC ION CONDUCTING MEMBRANES AND THEIR TECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS

Dense membranes of ceramic oxygen ion conductors are of great interest because of their ability to transmit high oxygen fluxes with total se lectivity. These membranes may be solid electrolytes exhibiting neglig ible electronic conductivity, or mixed ionic-electronic conductors. Pa rameters controlling the ionic fluxes are outlined, and the factors in fluencing material selection for a variety of applications are also su mmarised. These applications include solid oxide fuel cells operating on natural gas, devices to generate oxygen from air, and reactors desi gned to produce hydrogen and syngas by the partial oxidation of methan e. (C) Academie des sciences/Elsevier, Paris.