In this study, a pure orthorhombic perovskite SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3-alpha (SCYb) ceramic powder was prepared using a chelated water-soluble complex method at relatively low temperatures. Common chelating ligands such as citric acid and EDTA were employed for the synthesis of complex-based precursors, followed by thermal decomposition of the precursors at high temperatures. Thermal behaviour, crystal phases, and structures of the prepared ceramic powders were characterised by TGA/DTA, XRD and SEM techniques, respectively. Clean and single-phase SCYb submicron-sized powders were obtained after sintering at a temperature of 1000 degreesC for 4 h. Gas-tight hollow fibre having a maximum bending strength of 60 MPa have been fabricated from the SCYb powders synthesised from the chelated water-soluble complex method. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.