The synthesis of nano-sized ZnO-doped CeO2 of 20 nm in crystal size by a coprecipitation technique was investigated by different scanning calorimetries/thermalgravimetrics(DSC/TG),X-ray diffraction (XRD),transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultraviolet (UV) absorbance. Azeotropic distillation processing was performed to effectively eliminate the residual water inside the as-prepared precipitate. Doping of ZnO results in the formation of solid solution. The crystal size of the nanoparticles increases with the increase of the doped ZnO amount,the calcination temperature and time. Doped CeO2 nanoparticles show excellent visible-light property and ultraviolet-absorption activity. Doping of ZnO doesnt not weaken the UV-shielding property of ceria.