Dense electrolyte films similar to 15 mu m thick made of samarium-doped ceria (SDC) are fabricated by spin-coating. The SDC powders are synthesized by the glycine nitrate combustion process. Iris found that nanoscale SDC powders can be obtained at 1000 degrees C. Cells constructed with an SDC electrolyte, a NiO + SDC composite anode, and an SSC-SDC/SSC hi-layer cathode are fabricated and tested at temperatures from 400 to 650 degrees C. SEM micrographs show that the SDC electrolyte layer adheres well to the porous anode and the cathode. The maximum power densities of the cell are 38, 84, 185, 303, 438, and 549 mW cm(-2) at 400, 450, 500, 550. 600, and 650 degrees C. respectively. Analysis of the impedance spectra indicates that the electrode polarization dominates the total cell resistance at temperatures below 550 degrees C, and the ohmic resistance dominates the total cell resistance above 550 degrees C. The activation energies of the resistances show that the cell performance is significantly controlled by the electrode polarization resistance. Durability tests are performed over 950 h and indicate that the power density and the voltage gradually degrade with time at a rate of similar to 0.03 mW cm(-2) h(-1) and similar to 0.07 mV h(-1), respectively. Hence, a low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell has been developed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.