A-site nonstoichiometric electrolytes (La0.95Sr0.05)(x)Ga0.9Mg0.1O3-delta (LSGM, x = 0.97, 1.00, 1.03), and their composites Ce0.8Nd0.2O1 9 (NDC)-LSGM, were synthesized and investigated. The nonstoichiometry efficiently enhanced the total conductivity of LSGM electrolyte, and the A-site deficient composition showed the highest total conductivity above 550 degrees C (sigma(t,LSGM(x=0.97)) = 0.880 S m(-1) > sigma(t,LSGM(x=1.03)) = 0.808 S m(-1) > sigma(t,LSGM(x=1.00)) = 0.582 S m(-1) at 600 degrees C). The cubic fluorite and perovskite structures were adopted by all the composites. The LSGM additive significantly promoted the grain growth of the composite electrolyte. The grain boundary conductivities of the composite electrolytes were more or less 5-10 times higher than that of NDC electrolyte at 500 degrees C. The optimum A-site nonstoichiometry was found to be x = 0.97 in composite electrolytes. This study provides a possible route to design high performance single phase or composite electrolytes for SOFCs. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.