Optical and magnetic properties of fluoride-doped CeO2 obtained by an oxidative insertion method

•CeO2: F sample is synthesized using molten flux promoted oxidative insertion method.•PXRD and Raman spectral measurements confirmed the fluorite structure of CeO2:F.•Besides Ce and O, EDX analysis also revealed the presence of 18 at. % of fluoride.•PL and magnetic studies revealed a lower concentration of O vacancies in CeO2:F.•The F-doped sample had a higher concentration of Ce3+ in CeO2:F.