Development of simple and sensitive hydrogel based colorimetric sensor array for the real-time quantification of gaseous ammonia

•Detection of breath-relevant gaseous ammonia was demonstrated.•A hydrogel film based colorimetric sensor array was fabricated.•Successful in detecting various concentrations of gaseous ammonia•Color pattern exhibited by the sensor array discriminated other analytes.

A real-time colorimetric sensor array (CSA) offers the advantages of diversity and accuracy for the quantification of multiple analytes; however, traditional sensors require a complex fabrication process. Therefore, to take full advantage of this sensing platform, we have developed a simple CSA system composed of a polymer, a reducing agent, and different pH indicators. Distinctive color response patterns were classified by extracting the hidden information, (i.e., red, green, and blue (RGB) values) from the indicators. This triple-channel sensing platform is further applied for statistical analysis, to quantify different concentrations of ammonia and other analytes. The sensor array showed a limit of detection of 0.3 ppm, which is well below the diagnostic criteria for ammonia concentration in the breath of healthy individuals and of patients with end-stage renal disease. As this sensor would be able to quantify gaseous ammonia in the breath, it is relevant to the point-of-care diagnosis of patients with renal diseases.