The effect of CeO2 infiltration into the anode or CeO2 mixed with the carbon-fuel on the performance of a Hybrid Direct Carbon Fuel Cell (HDCFC) was studied through the use of polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The use CeO2 in both ways helped to increase the cell performance. In particular, mixing CeO2 with carbon represents the best strategy to increase the cell power output, probably due to increased formation of CO. (C) 2017 The Electrochemical Society.