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BaFe 0.8-x Cu x Zr 0.1 Y 0.1 O 3-δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) perovskite was investigated as the cathode material for low-temperature proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H-SOFCs). Cu doping in BaFe 0.8 Zr 0.1 Y 0.1 O 3-δ (Cu0) improves the proton conductivity and surface exchange kinetics. The chemical bulk diffusion coefficient (D chem) and the chemical oxygen surface exchange coefficient (K chem) of BaFe 0.75 Cu 0.05 Y 0.1 Zr 0.1 O 3-δ (Cu5) and BaFe 0.7 Cu 0.1 Y 0.1 Zr 0.1 O 3-δ (Cu10) were both increased compared to Cu0. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of Cu5 and Cu10 in air showed larger revsivle oxygen loss than that of Cu0. A significant improvement in current output was observed at 600 °C: cell with BaFe 0.65 Cu 0.15 Y 0.1 Zr 0.1 O 3-δ (Cu15), Cu10 and Cu5 cathode demonstrated current densities 100.7 %, 438.4 %, and 253.8 % higher, respectively, than the one with Cu0 at 0.6 V after more than 100 h of durability. This work demonstrated that the optimal Cu doping on ferrite cathode could improve the proton transport kinetics and is able to deliver a improved performance and stability for low-temperature (≤600 °C) H-SOFCs. [Display omitted] • BaFe 0. 8-x Cu x Zr 0. 1 Y 0. 1 O 3-δ is used as a cathode for H-SOFC on BZCY electrolyte. • Cell maintains a stable power of 696 mW cm−2 at 600 °C under a bias of 0.6 V. • Advantages and disadvantages of Cu doping were discussed for H-SOFC cathode. • Cu doping affects thermal expansion, conductance relaxation, oxygen-ion and proton conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]