A hybrid architecture comprising three types of cerium nanoparticles, nano-octahedron and its ramifications, is synthesized via a facile yet efficient hydrothermal process. Comprehensive transmission electron microscopy analysis identifies the exposure planes of the cube-shaped ceria nanoparticles as {111} crystal planes. As a result of this unique morphology, the nanoparticles are found to show markedly enhanced material removal capacity and inferior polishing quality compared to the sphere-shaped ceria nanoparticles. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.