BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3-delta (BZCYYb) perovskite is synthesized and examined as an alternative anode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) based on direct hydrocarbon fuels, using polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Single-phased BZCYYb anode shows an excellent activity for both hydrogen and methane oxidation reactions, achieving a polarization resistance of 0.25 and 0.93 Omega cm(2), and overpotential of 20 and 202 mV at 100 mA cm(-2) and 750 degrees C in wet H-2 (3% H2O/97% H-2) and wet CH4 (3% H2O/97% CH4), respectively. The electrocatalytic activity of BZCYYb anodes is significantly higher than that of the (La,Sr)(Cr,Mn)O-3 anodes as reported in the literature. Furthermore, BZCYYb exhibits excellent resistance to carbon deposition. The present study demonstrates that BZCYYb perovskite is a promising alternative anode material for direct hydrocarbon fuels based SOFCs. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.