Ni-Cu alloy-based anodes, Ni1-xCux (x=0, 0.05, 0.2, 0.3)-Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC), were developed for direct utilization of biomass-produced gas in low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) with thin film Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 electrolytes. The alloys were formed by in situ reduction of Ni1-xCuxOy composites synthesized using a glycine-rtitrate technique. The electrolyte films were fabricated with a co-pressing and co-firing technique. Electrochemical performance of the Ni1-xCux-SDC anode supported cells was investigated at 600 degrees C when humidified (3% H2O) biomass-produced gas (BPG) was used as the fuel and stationary air as the oxidant. With Ni-Cu alloys as anodes, carbon deposition was substantially suppressed and electrochemical performance of the cells was sustained for much longer periods of time. For example, the power export of a Ni-SDC supported cell was only 50% of the initial value (200 mW cm(-2) at 0.5 V) after 20 min, while Ni0.8Cu0.2-SDC supported cells could maintain 90% of the initial power density (250 mW cm(-2) at 0.5 V) over a period of 10 h. The improved performance of the Ni-Cu alloy-based anodes is worth considering in developing SOFCs fueled directly with dilute hydrocarbons such as gases derived from biomass. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.