Lanthanum nickelate (LaNO) may be used as a cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). LaNO may be prepared by spray pyrolysis, combustion technique. It exhibits high oxygen tracer diffusion coefficients and high electronic conductivity. The structure is similar to that of K2NiF4, layers of LaNiO3 separated by layers LaO and an arrangement of unoccupied interstitial sites.