Nano-sized Ce0.5Hf0.5O2/carbon clusters composite material has been successfully obtained by the microwave-irradiated calcination of a Ce(acaC)(3)/Hf(acac)(4)/epoxy resin complex. The compositions of the resulting composite materials were determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy, elemental analysis and surface characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ultraviolet-vis (UV-vis), and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of the composites were also measured. ESR spectra suggest the possibility of an electron transfer in the process of carbon clusters Ce0.5Hf0.5O2. The reduction reaction of methylene blue with the calcined materials under the visible light irradiation has also been examined. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.