SrTiO3 and SrTiO3:Er3+ nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol-gel method. The synthesized SrTiO3:Er3+ nanoparticles exhibit green and red emissions under the excitation at 980 nm. Both SrTiO3 and SrTiO3:Er3+ nanoparticles exhibit photocatalytic hydrogen production under the irradiation of simulated sunlight. Moreover, SrTiO3:Er3+ nanoparticles show higher photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production than that of SrTiO3 nanoparticles. The results indicate that SrTiO3 is a good host for Er-3(+) and the incorporation of Er-3(+) is an effect way to enhance the photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production.