Using Sn2+ instead of Sn4+ as Sn source, H2O2 as oxidizer, and l-cysteine as sulphur source and structure-directing agent, hierarchical SnS2 nanostructure built with the thickness of 10 nm nanosheets was successfully synthesized by a green hydrothermal process. The morphology and structure of the products were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and Elemental mapping, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The as-prepared nanostructured SnS2 nanomaterials were tested for adsorption of Rhodamine B (RhB) from aqueous solution. The effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage and initial concentration were investigated in detail. The adsorption kinetic data were well fitted to the pseudo-second-order model and the equilibrium adsorption data were well described by the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum capacity of 200.0 mg g−1. This study provides a novel approach to obtain metal sulfide nanostructures using low-valence metal salts.Download high-res image (154KB)Download full-size image

Cu-doped CeO2 nanowires with a diameter under 10 nm have been prepared via a glutamine (GLN)-assisted green strategy. The obtained Cu-doped CeO2 nanowires exhibit outstanding performance as catalyst for CO oxidation, which can completely convert CO at the lower temperature of 90 °C.

•We use cheap Na2WO4·2H2O instead of expensive WCl6 and W(CO)6 as tungsten source.•Highly uniform h-WO3 nanowires have been realized with the assistance of glycine.•The obtained h-WO3 nanowires have a high average aspect ratio of >333.•The morphologies of products can be controlled by adjusting the amount of glycine.The controlled synthesis of highly uniform hexagonal tungsten oxide (h-WO3) nanowires has been successfully realized for the first time in the presence of glycine by a green hydrothermal process. In the absence of glycine, only aggregated irregular nanosheets were obtained. While increasing the amount of glycine, morphology of the products changed from nanosheets to drum-like nanorod bundles, and then broke into halves. Finally, uniform nanowires growing along [0 0 1] direction came into being, which had a length of more than 5 μm and a diameter of about 15 nm, with a high average aspect ratio of >333. Morphology and preferential orientation of the products are significantly controlled by adjusting the amount of glycine. The combined effects of carboxyl-group and amino-group in glycine might be responsible for the formation of h-WO3 nanowires.

Pompon-like hierarchical CuO hollow microspheres assembled from porous nanorods have been prepared via a glutamine (GLN)-assisted green strategy. The obtained CuO microspheres exhibit excellent performance as anodes for lithium ion batteries, which can deliver a capacity of 683.7 mA h g−1 after 50 charge–discharge cycles at a rate of 0.1 C.

Pompon-like hierarchical CuO hollow microspheres assembled from porous nanorods have been prepared via a glutamine (GLN)-assisted green strategy. The obtained CuO microspheres exhibit excellent performance as anodes for lithium ion batteries, which can deliver a capacity of 683.7 mA h g−1 after 50 charge–discharge cycles at a rate of 0.1 C.