Tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with different Pr0.35Nd0.35Sr0.3MnO3/YSZ cathode layers made by slurry spraying, slurry dip-coating and paste brushing were assembled and compared in their performance. In order to improve cathode-electrolyte coherency and interface behavior, dip-coating process was also employed to make the dense electrolyte surface with porous morphology. Electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and current-voltage tests were carried out to characterize the interfaces and the cell performance. Compared with the cell made by normal paste brushing, the cells made by slurry spraying and dip-coating exhibited a decrease of about 50% in electrode polarization resistance and an increase of 67% in the peak power output at 750 degrees C. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.