CeO2 nanotubes were synthesized facilely via a layer-by-layer deposition approach using modified attapulgite as hard template.The formation details were investigated by a combination of X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),energy disperse spectroscopy(EDS)and fourier transform infrared spectrometer(FT-IR)characterizations.The obtained CeO2 nanotubes have a uniform diameter ranging from 20-40 nm with a bundle-like structure.Calcination temperature plays a critical role in the integrity of the nanotubes.A possible formation mechanism has been proposed to explain the formation of CeO2 nanotubes.This synthesis strategy by taking advantage of natural clay as sacrificial template implies a simple and inexpensive way to prepare oxide nanotubes on a large scale.