SrTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized for the first time via a modified polymeric precursor method. The samples were characterized by thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area, micro-Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning and transmission electron microscopy (FE-SEM and FE-STEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and photoluminescence measurements. It is found that calcination atmosphere (air, nitrogen and oxygen) plays an important role of both crystal size and photolumiscence behavior of the SrTiO3 nanocrystallites. Results show that the powders obtained in nitrogen/oxygen atmosphere possess controllable particles size of approximately 11 nm presenting the highest photoluminescence emission. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.