The structure of nanocrystalline and bulk polycrystalline ZnO were examined up to 85 GPa and 50 GPa, respectively using synchrotron X-rays and diamond anvil cells at ambient conditions. The transition from the wurtzite to the rock salt phase in the nano-ZnO takes place at 10.5 GPa; this transition pressure is 1.5 GPa higher than in bulk ZnO. A large volume collapse of about 17.5% is observed during the transition in both systems. The rocksalt phase is stable and no structural transitions are observed for both compounds at higher pressures up to the experimental limit. On decompression the rocksalt phase is found to co-exist with the wurtzite phase at ambient conditions for the nano-ZnO. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.