Single-phase eskolaite crystalline Cr2-xTixO3 films (CFO) with a uniform porous microstructure were fabricated via an electrostatic spray assisted vapour deposition (ESAVD) method. The sensing behavior upon exposure to ammonia and ethanol was characterized in a CTO film-based sensor device in terms of response, reproducibility, humidity constraints and sensor stability. The ESAVD process has been shown to be capable of producing CTO films at low temperature (650 degrees C) and more importantly, it results in a more uniform titanium distribution and better microstructural control than processes based on solid-state chemical reactions. The material with a nominal composition of Cr1.7Ti0.3O3 exhibited the highest sensitivity among the different Cr2-xTixO3 compositions examined towards ammonia over the temperature range of 200-500 degrees C with a peak sensitivity of 2.90 at 200 degrees C. The CTO materials, when used as sensors, also exhibit excellent responses to ethanol concentration in air. The sensitivity was 0.64 for 10 ppm ethanol, 0.85 for 25 ppm, and 0.92 for 50 ppm, respectively. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.