Abstract: Nickel hydroxide for use in an electrode of a rechargeable battery is prepared by controlled precipitation from a neutralized reaction mixture of a nickel salt and an alkali metal hydroxide. The controlled precipitation results in the formation of generally spherical particles having a high density. Pulsed or constant ultrasonic energy is applied to the mixture or to a portion thereof during the reaction to cause an alteration in the micro and macrostructures and the surface characteristics of the particles. These alterations result in enhanced performance characteristics of the resultant electrode.