Novel cathode materials, Ba2-xSrxFeO4+delta (X=0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0), for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells on a samaria-doped ceria (SDC) electrolyte were prepared by the glycine-nitrate route and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-trans form infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and steady-state polarization measurement. SEM results showed that the electrode formed a good contact with the SDC electrolyte after sintering at 1000 degrees C for 2 h. The value of 8 in Ba1.0Sr1.0FeO4,,S materials was calculated from the TG results. The electrochemical impedance spectra revealed that Ba2-xSrxFeO4+delta had a better electrochemical performance than that of Ln(2)NiO(4) (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm). In the Ba2-xSrxFeO4+delta (x = 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, ) family the composition Ba1.0Sr1.0FeO4+delta exhibited the best electrochemical activity for oxygen reduction. The polarization resistance of Ba1.0Sr1.0 FeO4+delta on SDC electrolyte was 1.11 Omega cm(2) at 700 degrees C was less than half that reported for Ln(2)NiO(4) at the same temperature. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.