A simple sol-combustion route involving EDTA was developed to prepare nanocrystals of SrHfO3:Ce which were characterized by XRD, TEM, Micromeritics, and photoluminescence measurements. Crystallites of Ce-doped SrHfO3 with different morphologies and sizes could be obtained by controlling ratio of EDTA to metal ions. It was found Li doping influenced the morphology of nanocrystals and strongly enhanced the luminescent intensity of SrHfO3:Ce. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.