Importance

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Abstract

Oxygen ion conducting ceramic materials are disclosed, represented by the formulas Ni(Nb.sub.1-x M.sub.x).sub.2 O.sub.6-x and Ni.sub.2 (Nb.sub.1-x M.sub.x).sub.2 O.sub.7-x, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Zr.sup.+4, Ti.sup.+4, Sn.sup.+4, Sm.sup.+4, Hf.sup.+4 and Ce.sup.+4 and x is a value from 0 to 0.2. These materials, along with Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 in solid solution with Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5, may be used in an oxygen separator for removing oxygen from a first gas to a second gas or vacuum. The oxygen separator includes at least one layer of the ceramic material with layers of a porous metallic conductor arranged on either side to form a body. An electrode connects one layer, and a second electrode connects the opposite metallic layer. A voltage signal is applied across the electrodes, whereupon oxygen ions diffuse through the ceramic layer.

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First Claim