The cathode/electrolyte interface in anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with Ni-8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anode, thin YSZ electrolyte and La0.8Sr0.2Mn1.1O3-delta (LSM)-YSZ composite cathode was modified by dispersed (CeO2)(0.01)-(SC2O3)(0.10)-(ZrO2)(0.89) (1Ce10ScZr) electrolyte. The two electrolytes were co-fired into a dense and continuous electrolyte film. By this method, the electrode polarization resistance, specifically the charge transfer resistance of oxygen ions, was greatly reduced. The modified cell achieved a higher performance than the unmodified one, especially at the lower operation temperatures. The decrease of electrode polarization resistance can be ascribed to the accelerated surface oxygen exchange rate from 1Ce10ScZr electrolyte at the cathode/electrolyte interface. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.