Sm 2 O 3 /SmFeO 3 mixed powders were applied to a chemo-resistive VOC (volatile organic compound) gas sensor. The sensor response to 30 ppm toluene gas increased with increasing the Sm 2 O 3 content up to 30 wt %, but decreased by further adding. The addition of Sm 2 O 3 up to 30 wt % also enhanced the catalytic activity for toluene oxidation, as the result of the sensor response. The amount of toluene adsorption increased with increase in the surface Sm concentration. It was concluded that adding Sm 2 O 3 increased the amount of adsorbed VOCs, resulting in the enhancement of the sensor response and the catalytic activity. Furthermore, adding Sm 2 O 3 remarkably shortened the recovery time from the VOCs to air. For the ethanol sensing, adding Sm 2 O 3 was only effective on shortening the recovery time.