A La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM)/La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-delta (LSCF) core-shell structured composite cathode of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) has been fabricated by wet infiltration followed by a rapid sintering (RS) process. The RS is carried out by placing LSCF infiltrated LSM electrodes directly into a preheated furnace at 800 degrees C for 10 min and cooling down very quickly. The heating and cooling step takes about 20 s, substantially shorter than 10 h in the case of conventional sintering (CS) process. The results indicate the formation of a continuous and almost non-porous LSCF thin film on the LSM scaffold, forming a LSCF/LSM core-shell structure. Such RS-formed infiltrated LSCF-LSM cathodes show an electrode polarization resistance of 2.1 Omega cm(2) at 700 degrees C, substantially smaller than 88.2 Omega cm(2) of pristine LSM electrode. The core-shell structured LSCF-LSM electrodes also show good operating stability at 700 degrees C and 600 degrees C over 24-40 h. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.