Dense ceramic membrane material for conversion of methane to syngas

An improved highly oxygen permeable substrate is provided comprising Sr-Fe-Co-oxide and a metal combined with said material. Also provided is a method for producing an improved membrane to facilitate oxidation of compounds comprising combining metal or metal alloys with Sr-Fe-Co-oxide to create a mixture, and sintering the mixture so as to allow the metal to melt within the mixture. The membrane is also utilized in a method for converting methane to syngas whereby a fluid containing oxygen is contacted to a first surface of the membrane for a sufficient period of time so as to cause some of the oxygen to be transported to a second surface of the membrane; and contacting methane to the second surface for a sufficient period of time to cause oxidation of the methane.