In this paper, four types of doped ceria powders and sinters, including Gd 0.1 Ce 0.9 O 1.95 , Gd 0.2 Ce 0.8 O 1.9 , Sm 0.1 Ce 0.9 O 1.95 and Sm 0.2 Ce 0.8 O 1.9 , are prepared and characterized. The results indicate that the Sm 0.2 Ce 0.8 O 1.9 samples possess the lowest densification temperature and a relatively optimal conductivity, which make it more suitable for use as an interlayer compared to other doped ceria. In addition, a series of interlayers were prepared from Sm 0.2 Ce 0.8 O 1.9 powders with different precalcination temperatures using an industrial screen printing method. The area-specific resistances of these interlayers were determined from their microstructures, including the grain and pore size, electrolyte/interlayer interface, layer uniformity and density, which are significantly dependent on the precalcination temperatures of the powders. A minimum area-specific resistance of 0.036 Ω cm 2 at 750 °C was obtained for the sample with Sm 0.2 Ce 0.8 O 1.9 powders precalcined at 950 °C (the corresponding BET value was approximately 20 m 2 g −1 ). In addition, lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF) cells were prepared with the as-prepared Sm 0.2 Ce 0.8 O 1.9 interlayer. Their power density was measured and determined to be 0.72 W cm −2 at 750 °C (0.75 V, active area of 64 cm 2 ).
