An efficient steam electrolysis process for hydrogen production via a solid oxide electrolysis cell using porous network-like strontium doped lanthanum manganite (LSM)-yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the oxygen electrode material has been demonstrated. The porous network-like LSM powder was prepared by a nitrate-glycine combustion method. Impedance spectra and voltage-current density curves were measured as a function of cell current density and absolute humidity at 800 degrees C and 900 degrees C to characterize the cell performance. The cell area specific resistance (ASR) was 0.26 Omega cm(2) at 900 degrees C with 0.5 A/cm(2) current density and 50% absolute humidity (AH). The hydrogen production rate calculated from the Faraday's law was 362 ml/cm(2) h at 900 degrees C with 80 vol.% AH. The cell performance results indicate that the porous network-like LSM-YSZ is a promising oxygen electrode for high temperature electrolysis cells. (C) 2010 Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.