Highly uniform four-fold shape CeO2 dendrites were successfully prepared in large quantities through a thermal decomposition of precursor approach. The precursor with an average size of 10 mu m was prepared from the reaction of Ce(NH4)(2)(NO3)(6) with CO(NH2)(2) at 160 degrees C in a water-N2H4 complex solution. The influence of the N2H4 on the dendrites formation was discussed. The dendritic pattern of precursor almost remained in the as-prepared product. The present work provided an example for the synthesis of dendritic structures through properly selection of the reaction conditions, which were independent of any surfactants or templates. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.