In this paper, SrS:Eu,Sm infrared up-conversion luminescent materials were successfully prepared by carbon assisted microwave sintering technology. X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the as-prepared SrS:Eu,Sm phosphors. The results indicated that the phosphors possessed the highest luminous efficiency when the microwave output power amounted to 750W and the sintering time was 4 min. The SrS:Eu,Sm phosphors exhibited excellent luminescent properties under the ultraviolet and visible light. Upon the excitation of 276 nm ultraviolet light, five emission peaks centered at 379, 567, 589, 602 and 648 nm could be observed. The up-conversion response spectra ranged from 800 to 1600 nm, peaking at 1100 nm. The emission peak of up-conversion luminescence located at 599 nm. (C) 2014 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.