To increase power density at reduced temperature operation of SOFC, thin film 8YSZ electrolytes were deposited on Ni-YSZ anode support plates by tape casting and cofiring. Cathode behaviour, limiting cell output at lower temperature, was studied in more detail. Cathodes were deposited by screenprinting and firing. With consecutive layers of doped lanthanum manganite and cobaltite, power density of 0.5 W cm-2 at 750°C was obtained using hydrogen fuel. On cells of 100 cm2, no fuel diffusion limitation above 70% conversion occurred, and electrical efficiency of 35% was achieved. Actual cell temperature increases significantly above a current density of 0.3 A cm-2. This effect causes erroneous electrode and cell characteristics. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.