This study analyzed the effect of various semiconductors of transition metal oxides in modified lithiated NiO on the electrochemical performance of a single layer fuel cell (SLFC). A typical ionic conductor Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-delta (SDC) and three types of semiconductors Li0.3Ni0.6Cu0.07Sr0.03O2-delta (LNCuS), Li0.3Ni0.6Mn0.07Sr0.03O2-delta (LNMnS) and Li0.3Ni0.6Co0.07Sr0.03O2-delta (LNCoS), were the fundamental components of the SLFCs. The components were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The stability of the synthesized materials was evaluated using thermal gravity analysis (TGA). The ohmic resistances at 500 degrees C were 0.36, 0.48 and 0.58 Omega cm(2) for 6SDC-4LNMnS, 6SDC-4LNCoS and 6SDC-4LNCuS, respectively. Among the three SLFCs, the single cell with 6SDC-4LNMnS achieves the highest power density (422 mW cm(-2)) but the lowest temperature stability, while the single cell with 6SDC-4LNCuS achieved the lowest power density (331 mW cm-2) but the highest temperature stability during the operation temperature. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.