The performance of lanthanum nickelate, La(2)NiO(4+delta) (LNO), as a cathode in IT-SOFCs with the electrolyte cerium gadolinium oxide, Ce(0.9)Gd(0.1)O(2-delta) (CGO), has been investigated by AC impedance spectroscopy of symmetrical cells. A significant reduction in the area specific resistance (ASR) has been achieved with a layered cathode structure consisting of a thin compact LNO layer between the dense electrolyte and porous electrode. This decrease in ASR is believed to be a result of contact at the electrolyte/cathode boundary enhancing the oxygen ion transfer to the electrolyte. An ASR of 1.0 Omega cm(2) at 700 degrees C was measured in a symmetrical cell with this layered structure, compared to an ASR of 7.4 Omega cm(2) in a cell without the compact layer. In addition, further improvements were observed by enhancing the cell current collection and it is anticipated that a symmetrical cell consisting of a layered structure with adequate current collection would lower these ASR values further. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.