Yb1-xGdxBaCo4O7 samples were prepared by the solid-state reaction method and the effect of Gd substitution on the oxygen adsorption/desorption properties was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. XRD results indicated that these samples are single phase when x <= 0.6. In oxygen, Yb1-xGdxBaCo4O7 samples experience two oxygen adsorption/desorption processes from room temperature to 1000 degrees C and oxygen adsorption capacity is improved by Gd substitution. For Yb0.4Gd0.6BaCo4O7 sample, when the temperature is switched between 320 degrees C and 450 degrees C, the mass change can reach 3.4% due to oxygen intake at 320 degrees C and oxygen release at 450 degrees C. When the atmosphere is switched between O-2 and N-2 at 340 degrees C, the mass change is 2.8% due to oxygen intake in O-2 and oxygen release in N-2. The large adsorption capacity and good reproducibility of Yb0.4Gd0.6BaCo4O7 make it a highly potential candidate for oxygen storage materials. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.