Study of a novel microstructured air electrode/electrolyte interface for solid oxide cells

•FLM technique was applied to modify the surface of an IT-SOC electrolyte.•Patterned SDC electrolyte presented a well-spaced and distributed pillar shape microstructure.•Different grain size, high surface/area ratio and mixed oxidation states were detected.•Pillar shape microstructure improved electrical and chemical performance over time.•A correlation between microstructure and superficial mixed oxidation states is proposed.