Effect of solvents on properties of the ultrasound assisted synthesized ceria nanoparticles and its performance as an adsorbent

•Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of CeO2 NPs in different solvents.•Solvent effects on crystallite size, zeta potential and adsorption efficacy of CeO2.•IPA mediated CeO2 exhibited highest positive zeta potential.•The sonicated MeOH mediated CeO2 reveals ζ of −3.09 mV, 50% removal of XMY dye.•The non-sonicated MeOH mediated CeO2 shows ζ = −29.49 mV, negligible dye adsorption.