Surfactant-free synthesis of novel hierarchical dahlia-like SnO2 nanostructures with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

A facile hydrothermal method is developed to prepare hierarchical dahlia-like SnO2 nanostructures (HDSNs). They have been successfully synthesized without using any templates or surfactants. We find that the hierarchical architectures of SnO2 are assembled by a number of regular-shaped nanosheets and nanoparticles, which are cross-linked in the interior of the micro-flower. Based on the nucleation and self-assembly process, a possible formation mechanism is proposed. The effect of NaCl on the product is also studied. In addition, the product exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity to Rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution and possess good stability and reusability under visible light. This study will provide valuable experimental data for further study of nanomaterials and their photocatalytic properties.