Low-Resistance ceramic electrode for a solid oxide fuel cell

An SOFC structure having segmentation of the mixed layer on a cathode electrode to allow a higher fraction of ionic phase in a mixed layer, resulting in improved microstructure that provides higher specific surface area for electrochemical reaction. This is accomplished by using a mixed ionic and electronic conductor (MIEC) layer (14) over the segmented layer (116) that supplies electrons laterally and vertically through the thickness of the mixed layer. Adequate connectivity between the cathode current collector (130) and electrolyte (20) for electrons is established, assuring efficient charge transfer and improved activity of the electrocatalyst in the porous cathode. Cell resistance is reduced and power output is improved. Further, the invention can efficiently incorporate a variety of functional layers on the anode electrode to improve protection from poisons and certain fuel mixtures that degrade cell performance, and can reduce stresses between fuel cell components while maintaining adequate connectivity with the anode current collector and electrolyte via an Ni-YSZ anode.