A thermal analyzer-differential scanning calorimeter-mass spectrometer (TG-DSC-MS) was used to study oxygen carriers (OC) for their potential use for the application of chemical looping combustion (CLC) to solid fuels. Reaction rates. changes in reaction rates with repeated oxidation-reductions, exothermic heats during oxidation, and the effect of changing reduction gas compositions were studied. Oxidation rates were greater than reduction rates and reaction rates were reproducible through multiple oxidation-reduction cycles except where agglomeration occurred with powders. Iron oxide (Fe(2)O(3) powder) and iron-based catalysts were found suitable for CLC of solid fuels having rapid reduction rates which increased with higher reducing gas concentrations. Fe(2)O(3) powder was used to oxidize a high carbon coal char in an inert gas removing 88% of the carbon from the char. Other properties such as cost and durability indicated iron oxide OCs potential use for CLC of solid fuels. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.