A novel cobalt-free perovskite oxide Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe0.8Cu0.2O3-delta (BSFC) is employed as a cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The electrical conductivity of BSFC reaches the maximum value of 57 S cm(-1) at 600 degrees C. Symmetrical electrochemical cell with the configuration of BSFC/SDC/BSFC is applied for the impedance study and area specific resistance (ASR) of BSFC cathode material is as low as 0.137 Omega cm(2) at 700 degrees C. The single cell, consisting of BSFC/SDC/NiO-SDC structure, is assembled and tested from 550 to 700 degrees C with hurniclified hydrogen (similar to 3% H2O) as the fuel and the static air as the oxidant. A maximum power density of 718 mWcm(2) is obtained at 700 degrees C for the single cell. Preliminary results demonstrate that the cobalt-free oxide BSFC is a very promising cathode material for application in IT-SOFCs. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.