In this study, we prepared a Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3- δ (BSCF) cathode layer for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells using microwave sintering. Unlike traditional sintering, which is carried out at 1000 °C for a few hours, the microwave sintering method allows the BSCF cathode layer to adhere well with the electrolyte layer after sintering at 900 °C for 10 min. This strategy helps the cathode layer maintain a microstructure favourable for cathode reactions and mitigate the potential diffusion of elements between it and the BaZr 0.1 Ce 0.7 Y 0.2 O 3-δ electrolyte, leading to improved cell resistance. The cell with the BSCF cathode layer sintered by the microwave method has a power output of 0.96 W cm-2 at 700 °C, while the power output for the cell with a conventionally sintered cathode is 0.33 W cm-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]