The chemical reactivity of a novel cathode material for IT-SOFC, La2-xSrxCuO4-delta, with the oxide-ion conductor La0.83Sr0.17Ga0.83Mg0.17O3-w is investigated using XRD and ESEM/EDX techniques. La2-xSrxCuO4-delta samples (x = 0.1 and 0.2) are prepared by citrate auto-combustion synthesis. The behaviour of mixtures of La2-xSrxCuO4-delta cathode material and La0.83Sr0.17Ga0.83Mg0.17O3-w, (LSGM) electrolyte (1:1 weight ratio) annealed at 1000 degrees C for 24-48 h is studied. Peak broadening and shifting in the diffraction patterns are explained as diffusion of cations from one phase to the other: these findings are corroborated by the ESEM/EDX analysis. No diffraction peaks from reaction products are found. These results showed that the use of La2-xSrxCuO4-delta (x = 0.1 and 0.2) cathode material in contact with LSGM electrolyte is not advantageous for SOFC application. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.