Well-crystal line MgO nanocrystals have been synthesized successfully via a facile combustion method with lithium addition. After Li+-doping into the MgO:Eu3+ host, the crystallinity of the sample becomes better, resulting in enhancement of luminescence intensity of the characteristic emission of Eu3+ ions. This approach provides economically viable route for large-scale synthesis of this kind of nanomaterials. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.