The effect of NH3 on the morphology evolution of single crystalline hexagonal-prism like Y4O(OH)(9)NO3 and Y2O3 has been systematically investigated, as a function of reaction time, by using a combination of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Rational control over the morphology has been achieved by the choice of suitable electrolytes like NaNO3, KNO3, NH4NO3, KCl and NH4Cl in the presence of NH4OH. We report that the cross-sectional geometry of hydrothermally grown one-dimensional Y4O(OH)(9)NO3 crystals can be tuned from spherical to hexagonal-prism like shape by introducing a particular reagent like NH4NO3 in the presence of NH4OH. An 'oriented attachment' mediated growth process takes place along with the 'dissolution-recrystallization' route which eventually resulted in the generation of the single crystals with hexagonal-prism like morphology. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.