In an attempt to achieve desirable cell performance, the effects of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSM)-based cathodes on the anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) were investigated in the present study. Three types of cathodes were fabricated on the anode-supported yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films to constitute several single cells, i.e., pure LSM cathode, LSM/YSZ composite by solid mixing, LSNVSM0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) composite by the ion-impregnation process. Among the three single cells, the highest cell output performance 1.25 W cm(-2) at 800 degrees C, was achieved by the cell using LSM/SDC cathode when the cathode was exposed to the stationary air. Whereas, the most considerable cell performance of 2.32 W cm(-2) was derived from the cell with LSM/YSZ cathode, using 100 ml min(-1) oxygen flow as the oxidant. At reduced temperatures down to 700 degrees C, the LSM/SDC cathode was the most suitable cathode for zirconia-based electrolyte SOFC in the present study. The variation in the cell performances was attributed to the mutual effects between the gas diffusing rate and three-phase boundary length of the cathode. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.