Tin dioxide

Tin dioxide, also known as stannic oxide or tin(IV) oxide, is a chemical compound with a chemical formula of SnO2. It is a white solid that does not dissolve in water and hardly dissolves in acids. It is made when tin or tin(II) oxide burns in air. It is a major part of cassiterite, the main tin ore. It is used to make ceramic glazes more opaque. It is more common than tin(II) oxide. It is used in brake pads, polishers, touchscreens, gas detectors (in some carbon monoxide detectors), targets in sputtering, and electrodes used in molten glass. There are two hydrated forms of tin dioxide that have special properties. They are called alphastannic acid and metastannic acid. Alphastannic acid is granular while metastannic acid is porous. Metastannic acid is used in the ceramics. Tin dioxide can be doped to make it detect gases such as carbon monoxide better.

Additional Information

 * Applications by Keeling & Walker (world leader in tin oxide)
 * False Alarms Reduced With New Fire Detection System by National Aeronautics and Space Administration
 * Compounds of tin by WebElements™ periodic table
 * Tin oxide manufacturer by Advance Inorganics Leader In Tin Oxide.
 * Tin oxide by Ceramic Material Info
 * Tin oxide by U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration