A cobalt-free layered oxide-Sr4Fe6O13-delta is synthesized and characterized for application as a cathode of intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. High temperature powder xray diffraction, oxygen temperature programmed desorption and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are employed to evaluate the temperature-dependent crystal structure and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of Sr4Fe6O13-delta. The oxide exhibits a single phase between room temperature and 1050 degrees C with low thermal expansion coefficient. The drawback of this oxide lies on its low ORR activity which is likely due to its layered structure which favors oxygen ionic transport two-dimensionally in the ac plane along the layered oxide layer. We show here that the original ORR activity can be improved by adjusting the phase compositions through an oxygen-deficient calcination process. An area specific resistance of 0.139 Omega cm(2) at 700 degrees C is attained by calcining Sr4Fe6O13-delta at 900 degrees C with similar to 66.2 wt% of perovskite phase in the composite material. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.