The
practical use of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (BSCF) prototypical
oxygen-transport membrane for air separation is currently hampered
by the decomposition of the cubic perovskite into a variant with hexagonal
stacking at intermediate temperatures of ≤850 °C, which
impairs the oxygen transport. Here, we report the development of a
W-doped BSCF composite that contains Fe-rich single perovskite (SP)
and W-rich double perovskite (DP) phases with different crystallographic
parameters. In contrast to BSCF, the BSCFW SP/DP composite maintains
its cubic structure at 800 °C for 200 h, demonstrating its structural
stability at intermediate temperatures. We use X-ray diffraction,
scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron
microscopy to show that the enhanced phase stability of the composite
is associated with a temperature-induced SP–DP dynamic interaction,
which involves W and Fe interdiffusion between the SP and DP phases,
dynamically adjusting the chemical composition and limiting structural
distortion and new phase formation. The composite exhibits a stable
permeation performance in the oxygen-transport membrane during over
150 h operation at 800 and 700 °C, confirming the potential of
intermediate-temperature oxygen-transport membranes for air separation
and providing insight for designing thermally stable composite oxides.