We report for the first time that the commercial yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nano composite with a natural CuFe-oxide mineral (CF) exhibits a greatly enhanced ionic conductivity in the low temperature range (500-600 degrees C), e.g. 0.48 S/cm at 550 degrees C. The CF YSZ composite was prepared via a nanocomposite approach. Fuel cells were fabricated by using a CF YSZ electrolyte layer between the symmetric electrodes of the Ni0.8Co0.2Al0.5Li (NCAL) coated Ni foam. The maximum power output of 562 mW/cm(2) has been achieved at 550 degrees C. Even the CF alone to replace the electrolyte the device reached the maximum power of 281 mW/cm(2) at the same temperature. Different ion-conduction mechanisms for YSZ and CF YSZ are proposed. This work provides a new approach to develop natural mineral composites for advanced low temperature solid oxide fuel cells with a great marketability. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.