The disclosure provides a metal ferrite oxygen carrier for the chemical looping combustion of solid carbonaceous fuels, such as coal, coke, coal and biomass char, and the like. The metal ferrite oxygen carrier comprises MFexOy on an inert support, where MFexOy is a chemical composition and M is one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Mn, and combinations thereof. For example, MFexOy may be one of MgFe2O4, CaFe2O4, SrFe2O4, BaFe2O4, CoFe2O4, MnFeO3, and combinations thereof. The MFexOy is supported on an inert support. The inert support disperses the MFexOy oxides to avoid agglomeration and improve performance stability. In an embodiment, the inert support comprises from about 5 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of the metal ferrite oxygen carrier and the MFexOy comprises at least 30 wt. % of the metal ferrite oxygen carrier. The metal ferrite oxygen carriers disclosed display improved reduction rates over Fe2O3, and improved oxidation rates over CuO.