NOVELTY - A functional gradient cathode preparation method involves preparing cathode precursor powder and composite cathode precursor powder, followed by adding ethyl cellulose terpilenol solution and depositing paste on a reaction barrier layer and a cathode thin film. The cathode precursor powder is added to ethyl cellulose terpilenol solution. Cathode collector layer precursor paste is deposited on a complex cathode paste precursor functional layer. A functionally graded cathode precursor layer is sintered and cooled to room temperature followed by annealing.    USE - Method for preparing functional gradient cathode for an intermediate low temperature solid oxide fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE - The method enables preparing functional gradient cathode with improved electrode performance.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A functional gradient cathode preparation method involves preparing cathode precursor powder and composite cathode precursor powder that is doped with cerium oxide. The composite cathode precursor powder is added to ethyl cellulose terpilenol solution at a weight ratio of (1.5-4.0):1 to obtain a precursor composite cathode functional layer paste, where ethyl cellulose content of ethyl cellulose terpilenol solution is 1-5 wt.% solution. The precursor composite cathode functional layer paste is deposited on a reaction barrier layer of a compact solid electrolyte film and a cathode thin film to form a composite cathode precursor functional layer. The cathode precursor powder is added to ethyl cellulose terpilenol solution at a weight ratio of (1.5-4.0):1 to obtain cathode collector layer precursor paste. The cathode collector layer precursor paste is deposited on the complex cathode paste precursor functional layer to form a cathode collector precursor layer. The cathode collector layer precursor and the composite cathode precursor functional layer are composed of a functionally graded cathode precursor layer. The functionally graded cathode precursor layer is functionally by the graded cathode precursor layer sintered at 900 ~ 1200 degrees C for 2-4 hours, and cooled to room temperature. The functionally graded solid oxide fuel cell cathode is annealed at 700-900 degrees C for 2-10 hours.