The oxygen uptake and release of La1-xSrxCo1-yFeyO3-delta (x=0.2, 0.4; y=0, 0.8, 1) perovskite powders was examined with temperature-programmed techniques. In addition to the commonly used temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) was used to examine oxygen adsorption on the perovskites that had previously been partially reduced. While perovskite reduction started slowly at an offset temperature of about 300 degreesC, the re-oxidation already started below 100 degreesC resulting in a distinct re-oxidation peak. The measured oxygen stoichiometry changes were in the range of delta=0.03-0.19. For the re-oxidation process assumed, allowing the application of conventional temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) procedures to determine the activation energy of the adsorption process. Simulation of the peak profiles confirmed the predominant surface kinetics. The determined activation energies were in the range of 0.46-0.63 eV. For the measurements presented here. the demands made on preparation and experimental equipment are much lower than for other surface exchange characterisation techniques and allow a pre-selection of interesting perovskite materials for use in solid oxide fuel cells or as exhaust catalysts. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.