Comparison of ZnO nanoparticles and its nano-crystalline particles on the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was investigated. ZnO nanoparticles and its nano-crystalline particles were synthesized from sprayed droplets of an aqueous zinc nitrate solution by flame spray pyrolysis and spray pyrolysis assisted with an electrical furnace, respectively. ZnO nanoparticles of 20 nm in average diameter and ZnO nano-crystalline particles of 20 nm in the grain size were prepared to compare the photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic activity of those ZnO particles was evaluated by measuring the degradation of methylene blue in water under the illumination of ultraviolet rays. Effect of the particle morphology, initial concentration of methylene blue, and photocatalyst loading on the degradation of the methylene blue was investigated under the illumination of ultraviolet rays. The photocatalytic degradation capacity of the ZnO nanoparticles was higher than that of the ZnO nano-crystalline particles. The efficiency of photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue increased with increase in photocatalyst loading and decrease in initial concentration regardless of particle morphology. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.