A new concept of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) using simultaneously the same electrode material at the anode and cathode sides with improved microstructure is proposed. We have found that La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-delta (LSCM) can be considered as a good candidate for such configuration, symmetrical fuel cells (SFCs), due to its enhanced electrochemical properties in both reducing and oxidising conditions. LSCM-based SFCs offer promising performances, e.g., 0.5 and 0.3 W cm(-2) at 950 degrees C using H-2 and CH4, respectively as fuels. Finally, the optimisation of the microstructure has been achieved via a novel facile procedure, using poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA microspheres as templates. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.