BiFeO3 nanoparticles were synthesized through low-heating temperature solid-state precursor method. Solid-state Bi(NO3)(3)center dot 5H(2)O, Fe(NO3)(3)center dot 9H(2)O and NaOH experience a chemistry reaction at room temperature, forming a nanometer-sized precursor, which is conducive to lowering the crystallization temperature of BiFeO3. Perovskite-type BiFeO3 forms at a much lower crystallization temperature at 425 degrees C without addition of organic agent. This method can greatly reduce the energy consumption and prevent Bi volatilization. The product was characterized by a variety of techniques such as TGA-DSC, XRD, SEM, FT-JR. VSM and UV-vis spectroscopy. The particle morphology changes from an average length of 80-100 to 400-500 nm as the annealing temperature increases from 450 to 600 degrees C. BiFeO3 prepared by this method can be an appropriate visible-light photovoltaic and photocatalytic material due to its strong absorption band in the visible region and smaller band gap (similar to 2.06 eV, BiFeO3 prepared at 600 degrees C). (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.