Strontium substituted lanthanum manganite and yttria stabilized zirconia solid oxide fuel cell composite electrodes were impregnated with nano-particles of strontium substituted lanthanum manganite or alumina. A clear positive effect was observed on low performing electrodes and on good performing electrodes if the temperature was kept low after the impregnation with strontium substituted lanthanum manganite. On good performing electrodes the effect disappeared on heating. Alumina nano-particles had a detrimental effect on the activity of the strontium substituted lanthanum manganite based electrodes.