Size-controlled　CeVO4　nanoparticles　have　been　synthesized　by　a　simple　microwave　irradiation　processing.　The　products　were　characterized　by　X-ray　diffraction,　transmission　electron　microscopy,　and　UV-Vis　spectroscopy.　The　results　showed　that　the　size　of　as-synthesized　CeVO4　powders　was　in　the　range　of　6-18　nm　and　was　extremely　dependent　on　the　solution　pH　value.　The　optical　absorption　measurements　displayed　the　obvious　quantum-size　effect　of　the　products.　(C)　2004　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.