The microstructure of anode has a significant influence on the whole electrochemical performance of solid oxide direct carbon fuel cells (SO-DCFCs). The tubular SO-DCFCs based on cathode supported solid oxide fuel cells was fabricated by dip-coating and co-sintering techniques. As the anode porosity mainly came from the pore former (graphite) in the dip-coating process, different contents of graphite were added into the anode slurries. When the graphite was 10.1% wt., the SO-DCFCs showed the best performance and stability. The peak power density reached 242 mW cm(-2) at 850 degrees C, with carbon black (located 5% Fe) as the fuel and air as the oxidant. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.