Using Sn2+ instead of Sn4+ as Sn source, H2O2 as oxidizer, and L-cysteine as sulphur source and structure directing agent, hierarchical SnS2 nanostructure built with the thickness of 10 nm nanosheets was successfully synthesized by a green hydrothermal process. The morphology and structure of the products were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and Elemental mapping, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The as prepared nanostructured SnS2 nanomaterials were tested for adsorption of Rhodamine B (RhB) from aqueous solution. The effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage and initial concentration were investigated in detail. The adsorption kinetic data were well fitted to the pseudo-second-order model and the equilibrium adsorption data were well described by the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum capacity of 200.0 mg g(-1). This study provides a novel approach to obtain metal sulfide nanostructures using low-valence metal salts. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.