Zinc stannate (Zn2SnO4) cube-like hierarchical structures assembled by nanoplate arrays have been successfully synthesized by a facile solvothermal method in the presence of tetraethylammonium hydroxide. The formation mechanism and effects of surfactants and reaction temperature on the products were investigated. In addition, studies of the gas-sensing property demonstrated that the assynthesized Zn2SnO4 with hierarchical structures exhibited better gas-sensing property than that of normal Zn2SnO4 nanopartilces. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.