Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO(3)) powders were synthesized by a sol-gel process using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a complexing agent. Thermogravimetric, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field-emission scanning electron microscope techniques were used to characterize precursor and derived oxide powders. The effect of the ratios of positively charged valences to hydroxyl groups of PVA (M(n+)/-OH) on the formation of BiFeO(3) was investigated. XRD analysis showed that single-phase and well-crystallized BiFeO(3) was obtained from the M(n+)/-OH = 2:1 precursor at a temperature as low as 400 degrees C. For the precursor with M(n+)/-OH = 4:1, BiFeO(3) formed only at the temperature of 600 degrees C. With M(n+)/-OH = 1:1 and 1.5:1 precursor, pure BiFeO(3) powder was not obtained. In present work, single-phase BiFeO(3) can be formed at lower temperature and less organics are required; furthermore, the process is simple and easy to control.