Cerium carbonate hydroxide micro/nanostructures were synthesized by a simple surfactant-assisted hydrothermal method and the morphology and particle size were controlled through reaction time, temperature and urea concentration. CeO2 micro/nanostructures were obtained by thermal decomposition-oxidation of the precursors cerium carbonate hydroxide at 500 degrees C in air. X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and UV reflectance spectrum were employed to characterize these samples. It is shown that the urea concentration, reaction time and temperature are important factors to influence grain size and morphology. Cerium oxide powder with octahedron morphology shows excellent UV-blocking and shielding properties. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.