ZnO nanoparticles doped with 0-5 mol% Pd were produced by flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) in a single step using zinc naphthenate and palladium.(II) acetylacetonate as precursors dissolved in toluene/acetonitrile (80/20 vol%). The particle properties were further analyzed by XRD, BET, and HR-TEM analyses. The sensing films were produced by mixing the particles into an organic paste composed of terpineol and ethyl cellulose as a vehicle binder. The paste was doctor-bladed onto Al2O3 substrates interdigitated with Au electrodes. The gas sensing of ethanol (25-250 ppm) was studied at 400 degrees C in dry air. In addition, 1 mol% Pd/ZnO film showed the highest sensitivity and fastest response times (within seconds). The sensitivity increased and the response time decreased with increasing ethanol concentration. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.