Large-scale ceria nanorods with high surface area and good crystallization were prepared via a facile nonaqueous process without any surfactants. The results of N-2 adsorption/desorption showed that CeO2 nanorods possessed large pore volume, which was about 7-fold of that in conventionally synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles. TEM images revealed the exposure of more reactive {200} and {220} planes, consistent with the favorable formation of more oxygen vacancies on the surface, as confirmed by XPS and O-2-TPD. TPR results demonstrated that low temperature reducibility (max. at 334 degrees C) maintained after reduction-oxidation cycles and even after heat treatment at 900 degrees C, indicating the strong stability of surface active oxygen species. Based on time-dependent morphology evolution of as-prepared precursor, the formation mechanism of nanorod structure was proposed. Furthermore, catalytic performance of CeO2 nanorods in methane combustion was investigated and compared with that of CeO2 nanoparticles. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.