| Summary: | Tin dioxide (SnO<sub>2</sub>) nanoparticles (NPs) can be applied in several ways due to their low cost, high surface-to-volume ratio, facile synthesis, and chemical stability. There is limited research on the biomedical application of SnO<sub>2</sub>-based nanostructures. This study aimed to investigate the role of Zn doping in relation to the anticancer potential of SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs and to enhance the anticancer potential of SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs through Z doping. Pure SnO<sub>2</sub> and Zn-doped SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs (1% and 5%) were prepared using a modified sol–gel route. XRD, TEM, SEM, EDX, UV-Vis, FTIR, and PL techniques were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of produced NPs. XRD analysis revealed that the crystalline size and phase composition of pure SnO<sub>2</sub> increased after the addition of Zn. The spherical shape and homogenous distribution of these NPs were confirmed using TEM and SEM techniques. EDX analysis confirmed the Sn, Zn, and O elements in Zn-SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs without impurities. Zn doping decreased the band gap energy of SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs. The PL study indicated a reduction in the recombination rate of charges (electrons/holes) in SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs after Zn doping. In vitro studies showed that the anticancer efficacy of SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs increased with increasing levels of Zn doping in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Moreover, pure and Zn-doped SnO<sub>2</sub> NPs showed good cytocompatibility in HUVECs. This study emphasizes the need for additional investigation into the anticancer properties of Zn-SnO2 nanoparticles in various cancer cell lines and appropriate animal models.
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