The effect of grain size on the oxygen intake/release kinetics were investigated for double-perovskite type BaYMn 2 O 5+¤ (¤ = 0.0 1.0). The preparation of BaYMn 2 O 5+¤ with larger specific surface area was achieved by low-temperature firing (down to 900°C) of precursors obtained from a wet-chemical route. The oxygen intake/release rates at 500°C were found to increase significantly in the resultant BaYMn 2 O 5+¤ fine powders, indicating a key role of the powder surface in the oxygen intake/release processes.