A series of cobalt-free and low cost BaCexFe1-xO3-delta (x = 0.15, 0.50, 0.85) materials are successful synthesized and used as the cathode materials for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The single cell, consisting of a BaZr(0.1)Ce(0.7)y(0.2)O(3-delta) (BZCY7)-NiO anode substrate, a BZCY7 anode functional layer, a BZCY7 electrolyte membrane and a BaCexFe1-xO3-delta cathode layer, is assembled and tested from 600 to 700 degrees C with humidified hydrogen (similar to 3% H2O) as the fuel and the static air as the oxidant. Within all the cathode materials above, the cathode BaCe0.5Fe0.5O3-delta shows the highest cell performance which could obtain an open-circuit potential of 0.99 V and a maximum power density of 395 mW cm(-2) at 700 degrees C. The results indicate that the Fe-doped barium cerates can be promising cathodes for proton-conducting SOFCs. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.