Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) powders have been synthesized by a combustion method with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the fuel and nitrate as oxidizer. A calcination temperature of 350 degrees C was found to be sufficient for the formation of pure SDC powders. The cell parameters were calculated using the peak positions determined from the XRD patterns, and it was found that stoichiometric SDC powder could be obtained only when stoichiometric PVA fuel contents were used. The as-prepared SDC pellets exhibited 98% of the theoretical density sintered at 1300 degrees C. This shows that the SDC powders obtained by this combustion method have excellent sintering properties, which can densified at a relatively low sintering temperature. The powders made by this method, due to its high conductivity of 0.033 S cm(-1) at 700 degrees C, are suitable for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.