Self-assembled MnS flower-like hierarchical architectures on porous alumina membrane

► We aligned MnS nanowires to flower-like hierarchical architectures on the surface of porous alumina membrane (PAM). ► Increasing reaction time, MnS nanowires can be aligned to MnS hollow spheres. ► PAM and gas bubbles formed within the nanopores of PAM is indispensable for the formation of MnS flower-like hierarchical architectures. ► The room-temperature PL spectrum shows a strong emission peak at 420 nm corresponding to the MnS band edge emission.