Rapid and reliable discrimination of authentic nerve agents in complex environments is a critical, unsolved challenge for security and public safety. Current detection technologies are often limited by bulky instrumentation, prolonged analysis times, or validation restricted to simulants, hindering their real-world threat-monitoring capabilities. Here, we demonstrate a machine learning-enhanced colorimetric sensor array that overcomes these limitations. We employed a systematic data-driven approach using hierarchical clustering, analysis of variance, and correlation analysis to optimally select just six commercially available fluorescent dyes from an initial 29-candidate library. This optimized array was rigorously evaluated against five authentic nerve agents (GA, GB, GD, GF, VX) and a key simulant using a novel dual-mode (Visible/UV) illumination strategy. By quantifying colorimetric responses (RGB-to-ΔE₀₀), our linear discriminant analysis classifier achieved 100% classification accuracy. The sensor provides an instantaneous visual response and maintains discrimination capability down to 10 μM, markedly outperforming the 87.5% accuracy of visible-light-only detection. This study establishes a simple, low-cost, and scalable platform for the rapid, accurate discrimination of multiple authentic nerve agents. By integrating data-driven sensor design with robust visual analysis, our system provides a clear pathway toward next-generation portable technologies for real-time chemical threat surveillance.

Composites of metal-organic frameworks and carbon materials have been suggested to be effective materials for the decomposition of chemical warfare agents. In this study, we synthesized UiO-66-NH₂/zeolite-templated carbon (ZTC) composites for the adsorption and decomposition of the nerve agents sarin and soman. UiO-66-NH₂/ZTC composites with good dispersion were prepared via a solvothermal method. Characterization studies showed that the composites had higher specific surface areas than pristine UiO-66-NH₂, with broad pore size distributions centered at 1–2 nm. Owing to their porous nature, the UiO-66-NH₂/ZTC composites could adsorb more water at 80% relative humidity. Among the UiO-66-NH₂/ZTC composites, U_0.8Z_0.2 showed the best degradation performance. Characterization and gas adsorption studies revealed that beta-ZTC in U_0.8Z_0.2 provided additional adsorption and degradation sites for nerve agents. Among the investigated materials, including the pristine materials, U_0.8Z_0.2 also exhibited the best protection performance against the nerve agents. These results demonstrate that U_0.8Z_0.2 has the optimal composition for exploiting the degradation performance of pristine UiO-66-NH₂ and the adsorption performance of pristine beta-ZTC.

Zirconium hydroxide, Zr(OH)₄ is known to be highly effective for the degradation of chemical nerve agents. Due to the strong interaction force between Zr(OH)₄ and the adsorbed water, however, Zr(OH)₄ rapidly loses its activity for nerve agents under high-humidity environments, limiting real-world applications. Here, we report a nanocomposite material of Zr(OH)₄ and graphene oxide (GO) which showed enhanced stability in humid environments. Zr(OH)₄/GO nanocomposite was prepared via a dropwise method, resulting in a well-dispersed and embedded GO in Zr(OH)₄ nanocomposite. The nitrogen (N₂) isotherm analysis showed that the pore structure of Zr(OH)₄/GO nanocomposite is heterogeneous, and its meso-porosity increased from 0.050 to 0.251 cm³/g, compared with pristine Zr(OH)₄ prepared. Notably, the composite material showed a better performance for nerve agent soman (GD) degradation hydrolysis under high-humidity air conditions (80% relative humidity) and even in aqueous solution. The soman (GD) degradation by the nanocomposite follows the catalytic reaction with a first-order half-life of 60 min. Water adsorption isotherm analysis and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectra provide direct evidence that the interaction between Zr(OH)₄ and the adsorbed water is reduced in Zr(OH)₄/GO nanocomposite, indicating that the active sites of Zr(OH)₄ for the soman (GD) degradation, such as surface hydroxyl groups are almost available even in high-humidity environments.