Tin dioxide

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Tin dioxide
File:Tin(IV) oxide.jpg
IUPAC Name: Tin(IV) oxide
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Chemical formula CHNO
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Tin dioxide, also known as stannic oxide, is a chemical compound with the formula SnO2. It is the most important oxide of tin and is the main ore of tin, known as cassiterite. Tin dioxide is a white, diamagnetic solid that is amphoteric in nature.

Structure[edit | edit source]

Tin dioxide crystallizes with the rutile structure, wherein tin atoms are six-coordinate and oxygen atoms are three-coordinate. This structure is similar to that of titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is also a well-known material with a rutile structure.

Properties[edit | edit source]

Tin dioxide is a white or off-white powder that is insoluble in water. It has a high melting point of 1,630 °C and a boiling point of 1,800 °C. The compound is amphoteric, meaning it can react with both acids and bases. It is a semiconductor with a band gap of about 3.6 eV, making it useful in various electronic applications.

Applications[edit | edit source]

Tin dioxide is used in a variety of applications:

  • Ceramics and Glass: It is used as an opacifier in ceramics and as a polishing agent for glass.
  • Electronics: Due to its semiconducting properties, SnO2 is used in gas sensors, transparent conducting films, and as an electrode material in lithium-ion batteries.
  • Catalysis: It is used as a catalyst in the oxidation of hydrocarbons and in the production of certain chemicals.

Production[edit | edit source]

Tin dioxide is produced by the oxidation of tin metal or by the thermal decomposition of tin compounds such as tin(IV) chloride. The process involves heating the tin or tin compound in the presence of oxygen to form SnO2.

Safety[edit | edit source]

Tin dioxide is generally considered to be non-toxic and is used in food packaging and other applications where contact with food is possible. However, as with all fine powders, it should be handled with care to avoid inhalation.

Also see[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD