Carbon formation on conventional Ni and Y2O3 stabilized zirconia(Ni/YSZ) anodes is a major problem for direct ethanol solid oxide fuel cells(DE-SOFC). A nanostructure Ru layer was grown in Ni/YSZ anodes through wet impregnation method with RuC l3 solvent at pH =4. Anode-supported Ni-YSZ/YSZ/(La0.8Sr0.2)0.98 MnO 3±δ(LSM) and Ru-Ni-YSZ/YSZ/LSM fuel cells were compared in terms of the performance and carbon formation with ethanol fuel. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy disperse spectroscopy and electrochemical workstation were used to study the morphology and fuel cell performance. The results indicate that a nano structured and pearl like Ru layer was well dispersed on the surface of Ni-YSZ materials. The single cell with Ru-impregnated Ni/YSZ showed a maximum power density of 369 m W/cm at 750°C, which was higher than Ni-YSZ/YSZ/LSM. Specifically, no carbon was formed in the anode after 1000 min operation. Fuel cell performance and carbon resistance were enhanced with the addition of the Ru layer. Carbon formation on conventional Ni and Y2O3 stabilized zirconia (Ni / YSZ) anodes is a major problem for direct ethanol solid oxide fuel cells (DE-SOFC). A nanostructure Ru layer was grown in Ni / YSZ anodes through wet impregnation method with RuCl3 solvent at pH = 4 Anode-supported Ni-YSZ / YSZ / (La0.8Sr0.2) 0.98 MnO3 ± δ (LSM) and Ru-Ni-YSZ / YSZ / LSM fuel cells were compared in terms of the performance and X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy disperse spectroscopy and electrochemical workstation were used to study the morphology and fuel cell performance. The results indicate that a nano structured and pearl like Ru layer was well dispersed on the surface of Ni-YSZ materials. The single cell with Ru-impregnated Ni / YSZ showed a maximum power density of 369 mW / cm at 750 ° C, which was higher than Ni-YSZ / YSZ / LSM. in the anode after 1000 min operation. Fuel cell performance and carbon resistance were enhance d with the addition of the Ru layer.