We demonstrate a technique to prepare high surface area ZnO powders that preferentially favor a plate-like morphology, exposing the (0001)/(000 (1) over bar) facets. A solution-based synthetic route was used to decompose zinc acetate in the presence of amine and citrate ions to block the (0001)/(000 (1) over bar) facets and favor growth from the pyramid planes. The ZnO platelets remained stable upon heating to 250 degrees C as evidenced by electron diffraction patterns. The high surface area (75 m(2)/g) and surface energetics of the (0001) plane make these powders suitable as supports for heterogeneous catalysts.