NiO/YSZ(70 wt%NiO) composite powders were prepared by ball-milling of 8YSZ and NiO precursors, dried and then followed by calcination. The approach was to combine acidic $Ni(NO_3)_2{cdot}6H_2O$ and basic $2NiCO_3{cdot}3Ni(OH)_2{cdot}4H_2O$ via acid-base reaction as a mixed NiO precursor. Their effects were studied in the aspects of DSC, microstructure, porosity, and electrical conductivity. Ni/YSZ composite of 1N9C (1 mole NiO from the nitrate and 9 moles of NiO from the carbonate) was prepared by consolidation at $1400^{circ}C$ for 3 h, and then followed by reduction at $1000^{circ}C$ for 3 h under flowing of 6% $H_2/N_2$. It showed a homogeneous microstructure with ${sim}20%$ porosity and 1880 S/cm at $1000^{circ}C$.