In order to develop a cathode that can be used in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (ITSOFC), the composite materials La0.8Sr0.2MnO3-Ce0.7Bi0.3O2 (LSM-CBO) has been prepared and its electrode performances are investigated below 700degreesC by AC impedance spectroscopy and dc polarization measurements. Results indicate that the oxygen adsorption process is the reaction rate limiting step. The polarization resistance decreases with the increasing of CBO contents. The optimum value of 50 wt.% CBO in LSM results in 1.78 Omega cm(2) area specific resistivity (ASR), which indicates that the LSM-CBO composite electrode is a promising cathode material in ITSOFC. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.