The mixed ionic and electronic conductors of La0.9Ca0.5Ni0.5Co0.5O3-Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (LCNC-SDC) are investigated systematically for potential application as a cathode for solid oxide fuel cells based on a Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) electrolyte. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements are performed in air over the temperature range of 600-850 degrees C to determine the cathode polarization resistance. The exchange current densities for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), determined from the low-field cyclic voltammetry, high-field cyclic voltammetry, and EIS data are systematically investigated. The activation energies (Ea) for ORR determined from the slope of Arrhenius plots are in the range of 102.33-150.73 kJ mol(-1) for LCNC SDC composite cathodes. The experimental results found that LCNC SDC (70:30) composite cathode has a maximum exchange current density and a minimum polarization resistance of 0.30 Omega cm(2) for 850 degrees C among LCNC-SDC composite cathodes. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.