This paper reported a novel approach to synthesize pure BiFeO(3) nanoparticles through an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid complexing sol-gel process at low temperature. The pure BiFeO(3) nanoparticles were attained at much lower temperature as 600 degrees C by this process, in contrast to above 800 degrees C for the traditional solid-state sintering process. The SEM results showed that the prepared BiFeO(3) nanoparticles had a better homogeneity and fine grain morphology. The BiFeO(3) nanoparticles show a weak ferromagnetic order at room temperature, which is quite different from the linear M-H relationship in bulk BiFeO(3). The origin of the weak magnetic property in our samples should be attributed to the size-confinement effects of the BiFeO(3) nanostructures. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.