Within this study, the electrochemically inert, molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) gamma-LiAlO2 matrix is replaced by oxygen ion conducting ceramics, typical for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) application. Such solution leads to synergistic ion transport both by molten carbonate mix (CO32-) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) or samaria-doped ceria (SDC) matrix (O2-). Single unit cell tests confirm that application of hybrid ionic membrane increases the performance (power density) of the MCFC over pure gamma-LiAlO2 for a wide range of operating temperatures (600 degrees C-750 degrees C). Cell power density with SDC and YSZ matrices is 2% and 13% higher, respectively, compared to the gamma-LiAlO2 at typical 650 degrees C operating temperature of MCFC. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.