Phase pure spherical Sn-SnO2 nanoparticles (∼ 50 nm) in gram level have been synthesized from well-defined SnO microplates (∼ 2.0 μm) using focused solar irradiation. The first step of the reaction involves simple stirring of a strong NaOH solution with fine SnCl2·2H2O powder. Precipitated blue black microplates of SnO are finally transformed into high band gap Sn-SnO2 nanoparticles with sunlight. During the solid-state photodecomposition of microplates, spherical SnO2 nanoparticles along with tiny Sn(0) particles are evolved simultaneously. Tiny Sn(0) particles, improved surface area, stability toward adverse environmental conditions, and inherited negative surface charge electrostatically stabilize the Sn-SnO2 particle rendering it excellent water dispersible. The presence of Sn(0) nanoparticles in spherical SnO2 nanoparticles improves the charge (electrons and holes) separation efficiency. Then, the as-prepared particles selectively invite cationic dye molecules to the particle surface due to negative surface charge and degrade the dyes at a faster rate under UV light.