An unexpected approach to fabricate the Se/C hierarchical nanobelts via the Se-directed calcination of selenized glucose

It was found that, with selenium powder as the structure director, the Se/C hierarchical nanobelts (HNBs) could be fabricated by calcining selenized glucose at 500 °C in N2 atmosphere. In comparison with simple Se/C materials, the specific surface area of Se/C HNBs was obviously enhanced (9.93 m2/g vs. 1.02 m2/g), endowing the materials very strong ability to remove heavy metals (such as Cu, Ni and Cr) from their aqueous solution.