For the field of energy storage, nanostructured lead oxide (MO) shows immense potential for increased specific energy and deep discharge for lead acid battery technologies. In this work, MO networks composed of single crystalline nanosheets were synthesized utilizing a simple, low cost and rapid chemical precipitation method. The MO networks were prepared in a single reaction vessel from starting reagents of lead acetate dehydrate, ammonium hydroxide and deionized water. Lead acetate dehydrate was chosen as a reagent, as opposed to lead nitrate, to eliminate the possibility of nitrate contamination of the final product. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis were used to characterize the synthesized MO networks. The reproducible method described herein synthesized pure beta-PbO (massicot) powders, with no byproducts. A possible formation mechanism for these PbO networks is proposed. The growth is found to proceed predominately in the < 1 1 1 > and < 2 0 0 > directions while being limited in the < 0 1 1 > direction. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.