Optical properties of SnO2 nanostructures prepared via one-step thermal decomposition of tin (II) chloride dihydrate

► A simple method to synthesize and control nanostructured SnO2 is reported. ► Several morphologies of SnO2 nanostructures were produced. ► One-step thermal decomposition and one raw material were used. ► The morphology of the SnO2 nanostructures changed as the temperature was varied. ► Eg of SnO2 decreased from 3.9 to 3.6 eV with increasing crystallite size from 25 to 53 nm.