Pd-loaded In 2 O 3 nanowire (NW)-like networks were synthesized via electroless plating using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as templates, followed by oxidation and removal of the CNTs at 550 C. Palladium (Pd) was introduced to activate the surface of the CNTs for subsequent plating. Before calcination, Pd was loaded onto In 2 O 3 . The as-synthesized Pd-loaded In 2 O 3 replicated the structure of the CNTs, forming a porous NW-like network with a very large specific surface area. Furthermore, the NO 2 gas sensing properties of the Pd-loaded In 2 O 3 NW-like network, porous Pd-In 2 O 3 and porous unloaded-In 2 O 3 were investigated. The results demonstrated that the Pd-In 2 O 3 NW-like network exhibits superior sensitivity with short response and recovery times, and demonstrates a significant response when exposed to NO 2 at concentrations as low as 5 ppm at a temperature of 110 C. A synergy of electric and chemical effects has been proposed to explain the gas sensing enhancement.www.rsc.org/advances 30038 | RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 30038-30045This journal is