3D hierarchical niobic acid microflower was synthesized by a surfactant-free method.
The microflower was composed of ultrathin nanosheets with ∼5 nm thickness.
The microflower showed high photoactivity owing to the 3D structural features.
This microflower was converted to Nb2O5 without significant structural alteration.
Nb2O5 nanoneedles can also be obtained by adjusting the pH value during synthesis.