One-step thermal processing of BaCe_0.8Y_0.2O_3−δ hydrogen permeable multichannel hollow fiber membrane

BaCe_0.8Y_0.2O_3−δ (BCY) is the most widely studied proton-conducting material and is frequently fabricated as a dense membrane for hydrogen separation. However, the limitation of preparing dense BCY membranes is the extremely high sintering temperature (>1500°C). Herein, the BCY 7-channel hollow fiber membrane was prepared by a one-step thermal processing (OSTP) with Co₂O₃ as a sintering aid. The results showed that the addition of 1 wt.% Co₂O₃ at a reduced temperature of 1350°C was the optimum composition and sintering condition for densification and forming a single perovskite-phase structure. The hydrogen permeation flux of the BCY hollow fiber membrane reached up to 0.34 ml min⁻¹ cm⁻² at 900°C. The long-term stability test was conducted for 300 h. The successful attempt of such a strategy provides a green and straightforward path for the preparation of dense ceramic proton-conducting membranes on a large scale. This promotes its industrial application in high-temperature hydrogen separation.