Well-crystalline CeO2 microstructures with different morphologies were obtained by thermal conversion of cerium carbonate hydroxide (CeOHCO3) precursors prepared via a surfactant-assisted solution process. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) curves, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, (hi.-h-resolution) transmission electron microscopy ((HR)TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It reveals that the concentration of urea, the reaction time and the surfactants are important factors influencing the structural evolution of the products. The formation of CeO2 microstructures is considered to arise from the aggregation and orientation growth of smaller-size nanocrystals. CeO, microstructures exhibit strong UV absorption properties. which is important for practical applications. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.