The preparation and subsequent oxidation of Ni cathodes modified by impregnation with yttria were evaluated by surface and bulk analysis. The electrochemical behavior Of Y2O3/NiO cathodes was also evaluated in a molten 62 mol% Li2CO3 + 38 mol% K2CO3 eutectic at 650 degrees C by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a function of yttria content and immersion time under the standard cathode gas condition (CO2:O-2 = 67:33%). The stability tests of Y2O3/NiO cathodes showed that the yttria additive could dramatically reduce the solubility of NiO in the eutectic molten Li/K carbonates due to the preferential dissolution of yttria. The loss of yttria was confirmed by chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Y2O3/NiO cathodes showed higher catalytic activity for oxygen reduction and lower dissolution of NiO than the pure NiO cathode. The cathode material with 1.0 wt.% of yttria showed the optimum behavior. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.