Abstract In order to increase the surface area, mesoporous oxides have been synthesized. In this work, we have used mesoporous silica SBA-15 and KIT-6 as a template for the synthesis of different semiconductor oxides: CeO 2 and WO 3 . These materials show a small particle size, about 5–10 nm, and a high surface area. As required increase the sensitivity when used for gas sensing applications. XRD and HRTEM studies reveal that the silica host has been completely removed; therefore, the nanowires constitute a self-supported superlattice.