Ceria-gadolinia solid solutions were prepared by the cation complexation technique using citric acid as complexant agent. The main purpose of this work was to evaluate the calcining profile of the precursor material in order to obtain nanosized powders with high sinterability. The main results show that powders with less than 10 nm of crystallite size may be obtained at relatively low temperatures. Pressed specimens attained a relative density >99% after sintering at 1500 degreesC for 3 h. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.