The paper presents a comparative analysis of the SnO2 thin layers, obtained via spray pyrolysis deposition (SPD), using polymeric precursors with different compositions and concentrations. The changes in the crystalline structure (X-ray diffraction), morphology and surface energy (atomic force microscopy and contact angle) and electric (electrical conductivity) properties of the layers were investigated. The photocatalytic efficiency of the samples was tested considering these layers' future applications in removing organic pollutants. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.