Optical properties of SnO2 quantum dots synthesized by laser ablation in liquid

► SnO2 quantum dots (QDs) were controllably synthesized by laser ablation in liquid (LAL). ► The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of such SnO2 QDs exhibits a stronger blue and green emission peak. ► The estimated band gap energy is 4.37 eV for SnO2 QDs. ► SnO2 QDs have potential applications such as optoelectronics, biosensor and other modern technologies.