Anode functional layers (AFLs) were fabricated using slurry spin coating method on anode substrates to improve the performance of cells based on samaria-doped ceria (SDC) films. The effects of the chemical compositions of AFL and AFL thickness on the performance of solid oxide fuel cell anodes were investigated by studying their effect on the ohmic loss, electrode overpotential, and Output performance of cells in different atmospheres. With humidified hydrogen used as fuel and oxygen as oxidant, the cell with an 8-mu m-thick AFL (NiO:SDC = 6:4) exhibited excellent maximum power densities of 3.41, 2.89, 1.46 and 0.80 W cm(-2) at 650, 600, 550 and 500 degrees C, respectively. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.