Nanosized ZnO with prismatic form was prepared using homogeneous precipitation process and its electrochemical performance was investigated by the measurements of electrochemical cycle behaviors and passivation polarization curves. The discharge capacity delivered by nanosized ZnO still achieved about 600rnAh/g until the 250th cycle. Nanosized ZnO exhibited higher midpoint discharge voltage, better cycle stability and passivation toleration than commercial ZnO. Furthermore, nanosized ZnO showed the morphology evolution process differed slightly from that of the commercial ZnO, including morphology maintenance, orientation growth and the formation of Zn dendrites. The epitaxial growth, texture growth and crystal growth habit were put forward to illuminate the morphology evolution process. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.