Cu(1.25)Mn(1.75)O(4) spinel (CMO) was studied as a potential solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathode material at intermediate temperatures. The reaction mechanism of a composite cathode consisting of CU(1.25)Mn(1.75)O(4) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was investigated by impedance spectroscopy. The influence of the CMO/YSZ ratio, time exposed to current passage and temperature on the impedance spectra was examined. Activation energy of the corresponding processes was calculated to be near 1 eV and between 1.32 and 1.96 eV for the high and low frequency arcs in the impedance spectra. Comparison between CMO-YSZ and Sr-doped LaMnO(3) (LSM)-YSZ composite cathodes showed they had similar reaction mechanisms. The transport or transfer of oxygen intermediates or oxide ions between the catalyst and electrolyte was suggested to be the rate determining steps between 700 and 800 degrees C, whereas dissociative adsorption, mass transfer and surface diffusion were rate controlling between 600 and 700 degrees C. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.