A series of tin-doped hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) lyotropic liquid crystal (LC) was synthesized using a simple process and their properties were characterized using selective reflection, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and the band texture observed under polarized optical microscope. The present preparation is applicable for mass production using large substrate with low cost HPC. A cholesteric lyotropic LC phase was observed for the hybrid solution with higher than 40 wt % HPC. After sol-gel condensation, the HPC-Sn hybrid LC films were calcined at 400 degrees C and the as-prepared product was determined to obtain tin dioxide (SnO2) which was characterized using WAXD. The iridescent color and similar to 2 nm structure seen after the condensation disappeared in the as-prepared SnO2, Scanning electronic microscope images of the SnO2 showed that the HPC content in the HPC-Sn hybrid played an important role in controlling the SnO2 morphology. A spectrum of relatively monochromatic extreme ultraviolet (13.5 nm) emission was measured in the as-prepared SnO2 in comparison with bulk tin and inverse opal SnO2. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4566-4576, 2009