The effect of chromium poisoning on electrochemical performance degradation has been studied at intermediate temperatures (550-650 degrees C) using La1-xSrxMnO3 +/-delta (LSM) cathode and an electrochemical cell configuration air/LSM//YSZ//Pt/air. Arapid increase in polarization resistance is observed in the presence of gaseous chromium species containing humid air (3% H2O) at both 550 degrees C and 650 degrees C. Cross-sectional elemental mapping and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy of the LSM/YSZ interface show the presence of crystalline Cr2O3 and (Mn,Cr)(3)O-4 phases indicating reduction of gaseous hexavalent-chromium species and deposition of solid reaction products. Subsequent experiments, performed under the above exposure conditions but in the presence of a chromium getter, showed stable polarization resistance. The electrochemical performance of half-cells in Cr-containing humid air atmosphere and in the presence of the chromium getter also remained stable during 100-h tests at 550 and 650 degrees C, respectively. The post-test structural and chemical analysis of the electrode, electrode-electrolyte interface and getter by scanning-transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersiveX-ray and Raman spectroscopy showed that the cathode bulk and cathode-electrolyte interface remained free of chromium deposits whereas chromium species deposited near the air inlet region of the porous getter as crystalline SrCrO4. (C) The Author(s) 2019. Published by ECS.