Calcium oxalate (CaOx) particles with different morphologies and phase structures were prepared by a facile precipitation reaction of sodium oxalate with calcium chloride in the absence and presence of poly(sodium 4-styrene-sulfonate) (PSSS) at different temperatures. The as-prepared products were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The influence of experimental conditions including pH, temperature, and concentration of PSSS and CaC2O4 on the morphologies and phase structures of the prepared calcium oxalate particles were investigated. It was found that variations in the concentration of PSSS and CaC2O4, temperature, and pH significantly influenced the crystal structure, morphology, and particle size of the samples. Various crystal morphologies of calcium oxalate, such as plate, leaf-shaped, bipyramid, and cylinder could be fabricated, depending on the experimental conditions. Higher PSSS concentration and reaction temperature favored the formation of metastable calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) crystals and stable calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), respectively. Especially, cylinder-shaped CaC2O4 particles were obtained at 80 degrees C in the presence of PSSS for the first time. This research may provide new insight into understanding and potentially regulating the formation of kidney stones and the control of morphology and phase structures of calcium oxalate particles. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.