Preparation and characteristics of a matrix retaining electrolyte using SiC whisker, PES binder, and NMP(n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) as a non-volatile solvent for a phosphoric acid fuel cell were investigated. The conditions of binder and plasticizer, and the effects of substituting a volatile solvent by a non-volatile solvent were also studied. The minimum amount of the binder was about 17 wt% for the proper bubble pressure and surrounding SiC whiskers. And the maximum amount of the plasticizer was about 10wt% to be fitted into the polymer chain of the binder. The matrix prepared by using a non-volatile solvent needed longer time to dry, and its pore size was smaller compared with that of the matrix prepared by using volatile solvent. The small pore size resulted in decrease of the overall pore volume. The ionic conductivity in the condition of the same thickness was decreased due to decrease of phosphoric acid absorbancy. As the internal resistance of the electrolyte increased, the fuel cell performance slightly decreased.