Abstract: ZnSnO₃ microcubes loaded with different concentrations of CuO nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method. The crystal structure and micromorphology of the as-prepared products were characterized by means of XRD and SEM, and their ethanol sensing properties were investigated at different conditions. The structural characteristics results indicated that the edge length of ZnSnO₃ microcubes was about 10 µm and exhibited good distribution and uniform morphology. CuO nanoparticles loaded on the microcubes had a diameter of approximately 50 nm and were uniformly distributed in ZnSnO₃ microcubes. The gas sensing characteristic results indicated that the optimal ZnSnO₃ microcubes loaded with CuO nanoparticles showed the highest response, good reproducibility and strong selectivity to ethanol at an operating temperature of 275 ℃. This work clarifies the sensitization mechanism of perovskite-type ZnSnO₃ microcubes loaded with CuO nanoparticles to toxic and harmful gases, providing a high-performance material for detecting harmful gases in mining industry.