The use of composite electrodes based on La0.7Sr0.3VO3 (LSV) for steam electrolysis has uncovered the tremendous potential and capacity inherent in this material. Unfortunately, this material has a major setback of inefficient electrolysis triggered by limited electrocatalytic activity. In this work, an infiltration method is employed to load catalytic-active metal nanoparticles onto the composite electrodes in order to achieve an activity-enhanced electrode performance. The electrical properties of LSV are methodically explored and correlated to electrode performance. At 800 degrees C in either pure H-2 or low hydrogen partial pressure (pH(2)) of 5%H-2/N-2, the polarization resistance of symmetrical cells with Ni-loaded LSV (LSV-Ni) cathode is largely enhanced, in contrast to bare LSV cathode. Similar improvement is also achieved for the Fe-loaded LSV (LSV-Fe) cathode in a wide range of hydrogen partial pressures of 5%-100%. The Faraday efficiencies of LSV-Ni and LSV-Fe composite cathodes were remarkably improved for electrolysis in either 3%H2O/4.7H(2)/Ar or 3%H2O/Ar at 800 degrees C. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.