In order to enhance gas-diffusion rates in a mixed-conducting samaria-doped ceria (SDC) anode, micrometer-sized pores were prepared by sintering a SDC paste containing fine polymer beads (d = 1.2 mu m) coated on an yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte. SDC anodes prepared under different conditions were examined to determine their pore-size distribution, pore volume, ohmic resistance, polarization behavior, and morphological structure. Both the anodic overpotential and the ohmic resistance of SDC anodes were lowered appreciably by controlling their microstructures. The performance of a SDC anode with optimized microstructure was enhanced further with highly dispersed Ru catalysts at 3 wt % loading, especially at low operating temperatures at about 800 degrees C. The current density on a Ru-SDC anode at an overpotential of 0.1 V was 0.5 A/cm(2) at 800 degrees C.