Chromium doped mesoporous CeO2 catalysts were synthesized via a simple nanocasting route by using silica SBA-15 as the template and metal nitrates as precursors. The effect of Cr doping concentration (5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of the initial Cri(Cr + Ce) molar percentage) on the structures of these catalysts and their photocatalytic performances in reduction of CO2 with H2O were investigated. The results indicated that the introduction of Cr species could effectively extend the spectral response range from UV to visible light region (400-700 nm) and improve the electronic conductivity for the mesoporous CeO2 catalysts which exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity in the reduction of CO2 with H2O when compared with the non-doped counterpart. The highest CO and CH4 yield of 16.2 mu mol/g-cat. and 10.1 mu lmol/g-cat., respectively, were acquired on the optimal chromium doped CeO2 catalyst with the initial Cr(Cr + Ce) molar percentage of 15% under 8 h visible-light irradiation, which were more than twice as high as that of bare CeO2. The remarkably increased photocatalytic performance should be attributed to the advantageous structural and compositional features of the chromium doped mesoporous CeO2. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.