Zn, Fe modified SnO2 powders were prepared by sol-gel method using Tripropylamine as chelating agent and Polyvinylpyrrolidone K90 as dispersant and stabilizer. Two compositions were taken into account: Zn, Fe modified SnO2 - 20 mol% Zn, 10 mol% Fe and Zn, Fe modified SnO2 - 20 mol% Zn, 30 mol% Fe, denoted further as SZFel and SZFe2 respectively. The properties and the influence of Fe amount on structure, morphology and surface chemistry, electrical and magnetic properties have been investigated. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed the formation of a polycrystalline mixture of cassiterite - SnO2, hematite - Fe2O3, franklinite - ZnFe2O4 and zincite - ZnO for the samples with different Fe content. The magnetization of SZFe2 sample was found to be composed of a ferromagnetic and a paramagnetic phase. The presence of Fe in the powders composition improved the electrical properties, demonstrating performant features in sensing characteristics (tested in CO gas concentrations varied from 50 to 1000 ppm). The magnetic investigations suggest their possible future applications as soft magnetic materials. (C) 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.