An anode functional layer (AFL, similar to 5 mu m) for improving the cell performance was fabricated by the slurry spin coating method on the porous surface of an anode substrate. The effects of the AFL on the anode/electrolyte interfacial morphology and the Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) film deposition process were evaluated. And the electrochemical characteristics of the cells with and without the AFL were tested for comparison. With the AFL layer, the cell performance was greatly improved and the maximum power density was increased from 0.733 to 0.884 W cm(-2) at 600 degrees C and from 1.085 to 1.213 W cm(-2) at 650 degrees C. The systematical analysis indicated that the AFL could effectively reduce the anode polarization loss by increasing the three-phase boundary (TPB) length. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.