Ni cermet anodes were prepared from nanoparticle 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) with various crystallite sizes. Results of temperature-programmed reduction of the anode suggested strong interaction between Ni and 8YSZ with a small crystallite size. The performance of an internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell (IR-SOFC) with anodes prepared from 8YSZ was almost the same regardless of interaction between Ni and 8YSZ. However, the rate of coke deposition decreased with an increase in interaction between Ni and 8YSZ. This strong interaction was caused by the presence of surface hydroxide groups indicated by in situ FT-IR. Carbon deposition resistance was enhanced by controlling the interaction between Ni and 8YSZ. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.