Unique morphologies of ZnO crystals were grown firstly at the air-liquid interface. The formation of bamboo leaf- and morning glory-like morphologies depended on the exposed crystal face. ZnO nanosheets were formed by selective dissolution, random diffusion, and recrystallization with a preferential orientation at the edge of pre-existing ZnO nanowhiskers, due to the local deviation of the pH value, which are derived from the volatile and highly soluble ammonia molecules at different fine regions. The high-resolution TEM and selected area electron diffraction clarified the formation mechanism. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.