A novel and simple wet process for producing ZnO submicroplate structures is reported. In the solution system, the morphology development and the size variation can be controlled by altering the amount of water added due to a controlled hydrolysis process of CH3COO-, i.e. the increased concentration of hydroxyl ions. When increasing the amount of water up to 10 ml, the amount of OH- ions increased, was adsorbed onto the ZnO (0001) plane, and eventually the [0001] growth direction was impeded. The morphology development and change in growth direction due to the ion adsorption are identified using transmission electron microscopy. In summary, the water can be added to act as a shape modifier for ZnO crystals, and this process presents a new way of synthesizing different structures of ZnO. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.