In this study, preparation of SnO2 (0-30 mol% SnO2)-TiO2 dip-coated thin films on glazed porcelain substrates via sol-gel process has been investigated. The effects of SnO2 on the structural, optical, and photo-catalytic properties of applied thin films have been studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Surface topography and surface chemical state of thin films were examined by atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. XRD patterns showed an increase in peak intensities of the rutile crystalline phase by increasing the 5nO(2) content. The prepared Sn doped TiO2 photo-catalyst films showed optical absorption in the visible light area exhibited excellent photo-catalytic ability for the degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. Best photo-catalytic activity of Sn doped TiO2 thin films was measured in the TiO2-15 mol%SnO2 sample by the Se dopants presented substitution Ti4+ into the lattice of TiO2 increasing the surface oxygen vacancies and the surface hydroxyl groups. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.