Two-step thermochemical cycles using ferrite-based materials to split water and carbon dioxide are promising routes for the production of H 2 and CO (syngas). To aid in the design of highly efficient materials for H2 and CO production, this work aims to identify the metal oxide phases present during thermochemical cycling and how they change as a function of temperature and gas composition. Hightemperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) was used to monitor the structure of iron oxides supported on YSZ (10 wt.-% Fe 2 0 3 basis) and cobalt-substituted ferrites during thermochemical cycling. HT-XRD showed dynamic behavior as iron migrated into and out of YSZ at elevated temperatures, monitored by the lattice parameter of the YSZ. Iron oxides were seen to thermally reduce stepwise from Fe 2 03 to Fe 3 0 4 and finally FeO as the temperature increased from ambient to 1400 °C under He with a low background of O2. Between 800 and 1100 °C no iron species were detected, indicating that all iron was in solid solution with YSZ. Similar cycles were performed with a cobalt-substituted ferrite which exhibited similar phase evolution. Exposure of Fe x Coi_ x O to C0 2 or air resulted in re-oxidation to Fe3 X Co3-3x04. Thermogravimetric analysis corroborated the reduction/oxidation behavior of the materials during thermal reduction and subsequent re-oxidation by H2O or CO2. A complimentary study on diffusion of iron oxide into YSZ revealed a steep increase in diffusion rate once temperatures exceeded 1475 °C. Fusion and vaporization of iron species at these high temperatures occurs.