Highly Permeable and Selective Membranes for High-Flux Atomic Oxygen Generator

This proposed project addresses the feasibility of using dual mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) and Ag membrane for high flux atomic oxygen generator. The high chemical reactivity of atomic oxygen flux has caused substantial degradation of materials on the Space Shuttle. An atomic oxygen generator which can be used in ground-based laboratories is desperately needed. Current techniques for forming atomic oxygen such as thermal dissociation, high-temperature electrical discharge, ion beams,laser breakdown, etc. have some combination of the following problems:low flux density, cost, numerous excited states of oxygen and other gases. In this proposed work, the combination of highly-oxygen permeable MIEC and thin Ag film is expected to generate very high flux of atomic oxygen. The atomic oxygen flux generated is believed to be at least four order of magnitude greater than that using Ag membrane. The use of highly oxygen-permeable MIEC also provides the possibility of directly using air as the source of oxygen. This dual membrane also gives the opportunity of using higher oxygen or air pressure on the upstream side to further enhance the flux of atomic oxygen. The simple concept and design of this proposed atomic oxygen generator will permit the design and construction of cost-effective, compact-sized, and high-flux atomic oxygen generator in Phase II.