Plurality of crystalline, surface modified tin oxide nanoparticles, wherein the particles have a largest dimension up to 20 nm, and wherein the surface modifier comprises at least one of an organic carboxylic acid or anion thereof, including a dispersion comprising the crystalline, surface modified tin oxide nanoparticles and methods to make the same. The crystalline surface modified doped tin oxide nanoparticles are useful, for example, for preparing transparent electrodes, heat mirrors and energy storage devices.