Transparent La2Hf2O7 (LHO) ceramics were, for the first time, successfully fabricated from combustion-synthesized powders. Nanosized La2Hf2O7 powders were obtained through combustion reaction, using glycine or EDTA as a fuel. The as-made powders were isostatically pressed at 180 MPa and then sintered at 1850 degrees C for 6 h in hydrogen atmosphere. The resulting ceramics have high optical transmittance. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.