Actinomorphic flower-like SnO2 nanorods (NRs) were synthesized and then decorated by CuO nanoparticles (NPs) with diameter of 25 nm through a modified two-step process. The length and diameter of SnO2 NRs are about 0.4-1.8 mu m and 60-200 nm, respectively. The gas-sensing testing results indicate that such unique CuO/SnO2 nanostructures exhibit an observably improved isopropanol sensing properties compared to the pure SnO2 NRs. The sensitivity of CuO/SnO2 sensor to 100 ppm isopropanol is 50.4, which is two time higher than that of the pure SnO2 sensor (22.1). The gas sensing mechanism may be related to p-CuO/n-SnO2 heterojunction formed at the interface of two oxides materials.