Effect of surface diffusion on the performance of solid-oxide fuel cell is investigated. A methodical approach for the evaluation of surface diffusion coefficients of various adsorbed species based on bond-order conservation Morse potential (BOC-MP) method is presented. The surface diffusion fluxes are used for the evaluation of temporal changes in surface coverages. Our analysis shows that surface diffusion does not lead to the concentration losses in solid oxide fuel cells. Further analysis is carried out and results are presented to substantiate the significance of interface diffusion on the behavior of voltage at limiting current. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.