Abstract: A solid oxide electrolyte type fuel cell includes an anode plate made of a porous sintered material composed essentially of (i) partially stabilized zirconia composed of zirconia and magnesia and (ii) nickel, and a solid oxide electrolyte element superimposed on the anode plate and composed of zirconia stabilized with yttria. The anode plate is fabricated by mixing a powder of zirconia partially stabilized with magnesia and a powder of nickel oxide, molding the mixture, sintering the mixture, and then reducing the sintered body in a reducing atmosphere, e.g., hydrogen. Magnesia is added preferably in the amount of 7 to 10% by mole. Addition of the zirconia partially stabilized with magnesia in an amount of 40 to 70% by weight based on total amount of nickel oxide plus the partially stabilized zirconia results in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the cermet matching that of the zirconia stabilized with yttria to an accuracy of .+-.5%.

Abstract: An electrolyte/electrode assembly for a solid electrolyte fuel cell includes a pair of flat electrodes spaced from one another and a solid electrolyte element sandwiched between the electrodes. A porous matrix having one side and comprising at least one chemical constituent which provides the porous matrix with a coefficient of thermal expansion corresponding to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the solid electrolyte element, has one of the flat electrodes formed on or within the one side of the porous matrix. An electrically conductive material is supported in the porous matrix for providing an electrical conductivity in the porous matrix in the direction of thickness of the flat electrodes.