Hierarchical SnO2 nanoflowers assembled by atomic thickness nanosheets were prepared by facile one-pot solvothermal method with acetone/water mixture as solvent. The crystal structure, morphology and the microstructure of the as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscope （AFM）. Results revealed that the nanoflowers （2-4 μm） were assembled by the ultrathin SnO2 nanosheets （3.1 nm esti- mated by AFM）. When tested as anode material for lithium ion batteries, the SnO2 nanoflowers showed improved cy- cling stability comparing with the commercial SnO2 parti- cles. The reversible charge capacity of SnO2 nanoflowers maintained 350.7 mAh/g after 30 cycles, while that of the commercial SnO2 was only 112.2 mAh/g. The high re- versible capacity and good cycling stability could be ascri- bed to the hierarchical nanostructure, atomic thickness nanosheets and large surface area of the SnO2 nanoflowers.
