In some examples, a fuel cell comprising an anode
an electrolyte
cathode barrier layer
and a nickelate composite cathode separated from the electrolyte by the cathode barrier layer
and a cathode current collector layer. The nickelate composite cathode includes a nickelate compound and an ionic conductive material, and the nickelate compound comprises at least one of Pr.sub.2NiO.sub.4, Nd.sub.2NiO.sub.4, (Pr.sub.uNd.sub.v).sub.2NiO.sub.4, (Pr.sub.uNd.sub.v).sub.3Ni.sub.2O.sub.7, (Pr.sub.uNd.sub.v).sub.4Ni.sub.3O.sub.10, or (Pr.sub.uNd.sub.vM.sub.w).sub.2NiO.sub.4, where M is an alkaline earth metal doped on an A--site of Pr and Nd. The ionic conductive material comprises a first co-doped ceria with a general formula of (A.sub.xB.sub.y)Ce.sub.1-x-yO.sub.2, where A and B of the first co-doped ceria are rare earth metals. The cathode barrier layer comprises a second co-doped ceria with a general formula (A.sub.xB.sub.y)Ce.sub.1-x-yO.sub.2, where at least one of A or B of the second co-doped ceria is Pr or Nd.