Nanocrystalline CeO2 powders were synthesized by the combustion reactions using citric acid and glycol as fuels and nitrate as an oxidant. The adiabatic flame temperatures in the auto ignition processes of the precursors were calculated theoretically. XRD measurements indicated that the powders produced in the combustion processes were cubic fluorite CeO2 phase. The size and morphology of the particles and extent of agglomeration in the powders were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the particle size analyzer respectively. Blue shifts of the absorption peak of the as-prepared powders were observed. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.