The electrochemical performance of porous La(0.6)Sr(0.4)Co(0.2)Fe(0.8)O(3-delta) (LSCF) cathodes is improved by inserting a dense LSCF layer. A 200 nm thin layer is deposited on the electrolyte substrate by pulsed laser deposition, prior to the screen printing process. This procedure enhances the adherence of the porous cathode layer to the electrolyte and allows a lower sintering temperature, which reduces grain growth during sintering. In air a decrease in polarization resistance with a factor of 3 is observed for electrodes sintered at 1100 degrees C. The apparent electrolyte resistance is also reduced with the dense PLD layer. A remarkable change in Po(2) dependence is observed for the Gerischer parameters that describe part of the electrode impedance, indicating a possible change in the oxygen transfer mechanism. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.