Cerium carbonate hydroxide nanostructures composed of nanoparticles were synthesized using amine surfactant in hydrothermal solution. The nanostructures of the obtained samples were greatly influenced by laurylamine (LA) concentration. The shape of nanostructures of the cerium carbonate hydroxide was maintained after thermal decomposition to CeO2. A formation strategy is proposed by self-assembly of nanoparticles through surfactant-assisted approach. The obtained CeO2 nanostructures possess rod-like shape, large pore volumes and high surface areas in synthesis condition of high LA concentration even after thermal treatment at 550 degrees C. Owing to their unique nanostructure composed of nanoparticles, improved catalytic soot oxidation at lower temperature was achieved as compared with CeO2 synthesized without surfactant and CeO2 rod crystals synthesized by a conventional hydrothermal method. (C) 2016 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.