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A novel polyaniline (PANI)/Eu3+ nanofiber sensing film was prepared in the presence of Eu(NO 3) 3 which serves as structure-directed agent. The morphological, component, crystallinity and electrochemical properties were carried out by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques. The results indicated the nanofiber-like network with porous structure appeared in the PANI embedded by Eu3+ ions, thereby leading to large specific surface area. Furthermore, the PANI/Eu3+ nanofibers were grown onto the inner wall of capillary glass to form the tube sensor. By the sensing measurements, this tube sensor enabled the detection of low-volume (0.3 mL) NH 3 for response 435% at concentration of 0.25 ppm with a short response time (5 s) and recovery time (5 s), and the performances of reproducibility and selectivity were also excellent. The above results demonstrated the potential application of PANI/Eu3+ tube sensor for low-volume NH 3 gas. Image 1 • A PANI/Eu3+ tube sensor was designed for the trace NH 3 detection. • Eu3+ ions dopant as structure-directed agent promoted the formation of nanofiber-like network and porous structure. • The film was grown onto the inner wall of silica glass capillary tube (length 7.5 cm, inner diameter 1 mm). • The low-volume (0.3 mL) NH 3 can be detected with rapid response (435%, 0.25 ppm) with response/recovery time (5 s/5 s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]