Sr2CeO4/Ln3+ (Ln = Er, Ho, Tm) phosphors were synthesized with the microwave radiation method for the first time. The luminescent properties of the samples were investi-gated and the up-conversion luminescence of Er3+, Ho3+ and Tm3+ doped Sr2CeO4 phosphors was observed. The spectra indicate that the energy transfer takes place from the triplet excited state ofMLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) state for Sr2CeO4 (sensitizer) to the rare earth ions (activator).