Cobalt-doped ZnO (Co:Zn is 1, 3 and 5 mol%) nanobelts were prepared by a multi-components precursor self-assembled method, and characterized by the scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface photocurrent spectroscopy and surface photovoltage spectroscopy. The room-temperature gas sensing of oxygen and ethanol vapor was measured with irradiation of visible light. The sensitivity is decreased on increasing the doped concentration. The cobalt-doped ZnO (1%) showed higher sensitivity and faster response rate to ethanol t...