ZnO–SnO2 hollow spheres and hierarchical nanosheets are successfully synthesized using an aqueous solution containing ZnO rods, SnCl4, and NaOH by using a simple hydrothermal method. The effects of hydrothermal temperature and time on the morphology of ZnO–SnO2 are investigated. The formation process of ZnO–SnO2 hollow spheres and nanosheets is discussed. The samples are characterized using X‐ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy. Both hollow spheres and hierarchical nanosheets show higher photocatalytic activities in the degradation of methyl orange than that of ZnO rods or SnO2.

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Natural help: PbE nanotubes (E=S, Se, Te; see picture) have been synthesized by a novel biomolecule‐assisted method at room temperature. The precursor nanowires self‐assembled from nanocrystals synthesized in the presence of cysteine play crucial roles as both the lead source and template in the formation of the nanotubes, which exhibit an obvious quantum confinement effect.

Flower-like cobalt hydroxide [β-Co(OH) 2 ] consisting of nanosheet networks has been synthesized by a hydrothermal method from Co(CH 3 COO) 2 ·4H 2 O in mixtures of water and glycerol/ethylene glycol at 200°C. The morphology and phase of the cobalt hydroxide can be controlled by adjusting the experimental parameters that include cobalt acetate concentration and the volume ratio of water to glycerol/ethylene glycol. The possible formation mechanism of flower-like co-

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Single-crystalline cryptomelane-type manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve (OMS-2) nanoneedles and nanorods were prepared by a solution-phase approach in the presence of an ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM]BF4). [BMIM]BF4 can act as a cosolvent, structure-directing agent, and reducing reagent in the reaction system. Based on the redox reaction of MnCl2 and KMnO4 in the mixed solvents of water and [BMIM]BF4, the formation of OMS-2 nanoneedles followed the rolling mechanism with lamellae as an intermediate. However, the direct reaction of KMnO4 with [BMIM]BF4 resulted in the formation of OMS-2 nanorods with diameters as small as 3-6 nm. The formation mechanism of OMS-2 nanostructures was discussed.

β-Ni(OH)2 carnationlike structures assembled from nanosheet building blocks were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method through the hydrolysis of nickel acetate in mixed solvents of water and glycerol. NiO carnations assembled from nanosheets with nanopores were obtained by thermal decomposition of the as-synthesized carnationlike β-Ni(OH)2 at 400 °C for 2 h in air. The as-obtained β-Ni(OH)2 carnations showed a different cyclic voltammogram (CV) curve from that of β-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets.

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