Multiferroic BiFeO3 and Bi0.98Y0.02FeO3 samples were prepared by a solution combustion method using oxalyldihydrazide (ODH) as a fuel. The as-prepared compounds were annealed at 600 degrees C for 3 h to obtain single-phase materials. The crystal structure examined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) indicates that the samples were of single phase and crystallize in a rhombohedral (space group, R-3c no.161) structure. Magnetic measurements were carried Out on the resultant powders from 300 to similar to 0 K. A significant increase in magnetization was observed for Y-cloped BiFeO3. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.