We successfully synthesized large-scale and highly pure ultrathin SnO2 nanosheets (NSs), with a minimum thickness in the regime of ca. 2.1 nm as determined by HRTEM and in good agreement with XRD refinements and AFM height profiles. Through TEM and HRTEM observations on time-dependent samples, we found that the as-prepared SnO2 NSs were assembled by “oriented attachment” of preformed SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Systematic trials showed that well-defined ultrathin SnO2 NSs could only be obtained under appropriate reaction time, solvent, additive, precursor concentration, and cooling rate. A certain degree of nonstoichiometry appears inevitable in the well-defined SnO2 NSs sample. However, deviations from the optimal synthetic parameters give rise to severe nonstoichiometry in the products, resulting in the formation of Sn3O4 or SnO. This finding may open new accesses to the fundamental investigations of tin oxides as well as their intertransition processes. Finally, we investigated the lithium-ion storage of the SnO2 NSs as compared to SnO2 hollow spheres and NPs. The results showed superior performance of SnO2 NSs sample over its two counterparts. This greatly enhanced Li-ion storage capability of SnO2 NSs is probably resulting from the ultrathin thicknesses and the unique porous structures: the nanometer-sized networks provide negligible diffusion times of ions thus faster phase transitions, while the “breathable” interior porous structure can effectively buffer the drastic volume changes during lithiation and delithiation reactions.

Ultrasmall palladium nanoparticles (1.5–2.5 nm) encapsulated within the highly porous and hydrothermally stable amine-functionalized metal–organic framework UiO-66 exhibit excellent catalytic activity for the selective conversion of vanillin to 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol.

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Semiconductor heterostructures are of great interest in a wide range of applications. In this work, we design and synthesize a novel heteronanostructure with controlled relative composition, i.e., BiVO4/Bi2S3 hollow discoid-like particles with mesoporous shell. The synthesis involves a facile anion exchange process by reacting pre-synthesized BiVO4 discoid-like particles with Na2S in an aqueous solution. Benefiting from the unique structural features and the formation of heterostructure, the as-prepared BiVO4/Bi2S3 hollow discoids exhibit significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical current response and photocatalytic activity for reduction of Cr(VI) under visible-light illumination.