Gd0. 1Ce0. 9O2-δ (GDC) powders with the addition of transition elements (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) were synthesized by a sol-gel based wet processing route. The resulting transition element doped GDC powders were characterized for their sintering properties. Dilatometric results indicated a significant enhancement in the sintering properties of transition element doped GDC powders when compared with commercially available GDC powder (Fuel Cell Material, USA). Average grain sizes calculated for the sintered pellets of the newly synthesized GDC powders also indicated a high degree of sintering. Transition element doped GDC powders were further employed for the fabrication of GDC buffer layers for solid oxide fuel cells using a simple screen printing method. Highly dense microstructures were observed for the sintered buffered layers of the new GDC powders. The transition elements doped GDC system is expected to help in producing stable and high performing solid oxide fuel cells