An improved precipitation method - electrostatic spray precipitation is proposed, which is characterized by introducing the electrostatic atomization effect into the precipitation process. The results display that electrostatic atomization can effectively reduce the size of reaction solution droplets under electrostatic force, the growth process of crystal nucleus is optimized, and then flake cluster MnCO3 is obtained, which further promotes the formation of homogeneous MnO nanoparticles. Compared with the agglomerated MnO without electrostatic action, homogeneous MnO nanoparticles exhibit better cycling stability (787 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles at 377.5 mA g(-1)) and rate capability (471 mAh g(-1) at 3020 mA g(-1)). (C) 2020 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.