Novel 3D carnation-flowerlike hexagonal SnS2 hierarchical structures have been successfully synthesized through a simple microwave-assisted solvothermal process. The as-prepared products were characterized by power X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron micrographs (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The photocatalytic activity of the sample under visible-light irradiation (lambda > 420 nm) was evaluated by the degradation of two different organic pollutants, rhodamine B (RhB) and phenol. The results reveal that the carnation-flowerlike SnS2 architectures show much higher photocatalytic activity than the SnS2 nanoparticles. The high catalytic performance of the SnS2 architectures comes from their hierarchical mesoporous structures, high BET surface area, high surface-to-volume ratios, and increased light absorbance. In addition, the SnS2 hierarchical architectures are stable during the photocatalytic reaction and can be used repeatedly. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.