Gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering is utilized as the anode interlayer for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) with a nanothin yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte and Ni/Pt electrodes. When the thickness ratio of YSZ electrolyte versus 100nm GDC anode interlayer is at or below 1.5, the electrochemical performance of the LT-SOFC is severely poor due to the microstructural instability of the GDC anode interlayer under high-temperature reducing atmospheric conditions. At 500°C, the peak power density of the LT-SOFC with a Ni anode and a 20nm GDC anode interlayer is ~30% higher than that without the GDC anode interlayer due to faster reaction kinetics on the anode side. •Gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) thin film is deposited by radio frequency sputtering.•Stability of GDC anode interlayer is an important factor for nanothin electrolyte.•Thin enough GDC anode interlayer improves reaction kinetics on the anode side.