A Ni/Sm0.2Ce0.8O1 (sDc) composite was employed as anode material for direct electrochemical oxidation (DEO) of dry CH4 in a solid oxide fuel cell. The anodic performance was investigated at temperatures between 600 degrees C and 700 degrees C using SDC as electrolyte material and Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-delta (BSCF) as cathode material. The single cell exhibited maximum power densities of 671 mW cm(-2), 494 mW cm(-2) and 305 mW cm(-2) in dry CH4 at 700 degrees C, 650 degrees C and 600 degrees C, respectively. Remarkably, at 700 degrees C the power density in CH4 was higher than in H-2, thanks to the carbon tolerance of the anode. Durability tests under constant 300 mA output current showed only 3.7% performance loss after 72 h operation. The results demonstrate that Ni/SDC can be used as anode for the DEO of dry CH4 even at temperatures as low as 600 degrees C. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.