NiCu-Zr0.1Ce0.9O2-delta based cermets are evaluated as anode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) using hydrocarbon fuels. Polarization curves and stability tests are conducted for direct methane SOFCs with various anode materials at 700 degrees C. The performances and thermal stabilities of the cells with Zr0.1Ce0.9O2-delta based anodes are significantly higher than those using pure CeO2-based anodes, indicating by doping 10 mol% Zr into CeO2, the thermal stability and anode performance can be improved. Among the anode materials investigated, the best performing anode is Ni-Zr0.1Ce0.9O2-delta. The cell using the Ni0.5Cu0.5-Zr0.1Ce0.9O2-delta anode exhibits a similar performance to that with the Ni-Zr0.1Ce0.9O2-delta 5 anode, but experiences a much lower degradation after a short-term operation in weakly humidified CH4. The cell using the Cu-Zr0.1Ce0.9O2-delta anode shows the best stability, only 0.61% degradation after a 48 h operation, but a low performance as well. The results suggest that NiCu-Zr0.1Ce0.9O2-delta based cermets could be promising candidate anodes for direct hydrocarbon IT-SOFCs. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.