Cobalt-free perovskite-type oxides BaFe1-yTayO3-delta (0 <= y <= 0.2) were synthesized via a simple solid state reaction. The cubic perovskite structure can be obtained when y is over 0.1. BaFe0.9Ta0.1O3-delta (BFT0.1) membrane shows the highest oxygen permeation flux, which can reach 1.6 ml.min(-1).cm(-2) at 950 degrees C under the gradient of air/He. The O-2-TPD results reveal that BaFe0.9Ta0.1O3-delta material shows an excellent reversibility and phase structure stability in air. The oxygen permeation flux is limited by the bulk diffusion when the membrane thickness is over 0.8 mm, and it is limited by both the bulk diffusion and the surface exchange when the membrane thickness is below 0.5 mm. Stable oxygen permeation fluxes are obtained during 180 h operation. (c) 2015 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.