The preparations of SnO2 and CuO powders and the manufacture of CuO-SnO2 gas sensors are described in some details. The CuO content was chosen as 1.5 mol.% (sample 1), 4.4 mol.% (sample 2), 8.4 mol.% (sample 3) and 12.5 mol.% (sample 4), respectively. The resistance of all samples in air and their sensitive properties to HA alcohol vapor, C4H10 and CH2 were measured in the temperature range 20-300 degreesC, respectively. The results show that the resistance of all samples decreases exponentially with increasing temperature, when the temperature is > 31 degreesC and it increases with an increase in CuO content at a given temperature. Sample 3 exhibits the best sensitive property in the case of the same H2S-air mixture concentration and excellent selectivity. The sensitive mechanisms of these samples to different gases are discussed in details. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.