Ceria-zirconia solid solution powders were successfully synthesized by a microwave-induced combustion process. For the preparation, cerium nitrate, zirconyl nitrate dihydrate, and urea were used for the microwave-induced combustion process. The process took only a few minutes to obtain CexZr1-xO2 powders. The resultant powders were investigated by TG/DTA, XRD, TEM, and a surface area measurement. The as-received CexZr1-xO2 powders showed that the average particle size ranged from 10 to 20 nm, and the specific surface area was distributed from 40 to 50 m(2)/g. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.