Abstract A reddish-brown xerogel was prepared using Ce(NO 3 ) 3 ·6H 2 O as the raw material, and citric acid (CA) and ethylene glycol as fuel and complexing agents. Fluffy, ultrafine Na + –CeO 2 precursor powder was then produced using a low-temperature combustion synthesis method. The effects of the amount of CA, the ratio of oxidant to fuel, and the amount of ethylene glycol on the morphology, chromaticity, and particle size of precursors and pigments were systematically studied. The results show that when the pH value was 7, the ratio of CA to metal nitrate was 2.0, and NO3− {\text{NO}}_{3}^{-} to CA was 0.5. The specific surface area of the powder was 13.8358 m 2 /g, and it had a bright red color. After adding ethylene glycol to the forming complexing agent, the specific surface area of the precursor increased to 22.3857 m 2 /g, and the pigment had better dispersibility and a brighter color ( L* = 37.99, a* = 40.21, and b* = 29.81).