Tin dioxide nanoparticles are n-type semiconductors and their electrical conductivity changes upon exposure to gases or light, which makes them excellent active materials for gas sensors such as CO, CH₄, and NO_x detectors.
SnO₂ exhibits high chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability, together with a wide band gap and strong optical transparency. These features enable its use in transparent conductive coatings, displays, and photovoltaic devices.
SnO₂ nanoparticles are also widely employed as catalyst supports and are actively explored as high-capacity anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.