A hybrid-direct carbon fuel cell (HDCFC), consisting of a molten slurry of solid carbon black and (LiK)(2)CO3 added to the anode chamber of a solid oxide fuel cell, was characterized using current-potentialpower density curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Two types of experimental setups were employed in this study, an anode-supported full cell configuration (two electrodes, two atmospheres setup) and a 3-electrode electrolyte-supported half-cell setup (single atmosphere). Anode processes with and without catalystswere investigated as a function of temperature (700-800 degrees C) and anode sweep gas (N-2, 4-100% CO2 in N-2-CO2). It was shown that the addition of silver based catalysts (Ag, Ag2O, Ag2CO3) into the carbon-carbonate slurry enhanced the performance of the HDCFC. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.