a method for making a conductive polymer composite for detecting a gas includes forming a porous conductive layer of a conductive powder on a substrate , applying a polymer solution containing a solvent and a gas responsive polymer material dissolved in the solvent to the porous conductive layer such that a portion of the polymer solution penetrates into the porous conductive layer and the remainder of the polymer solution forms a thin film covering a top of the porous conductive layer , the gas responsive polymer material being capable of adsorbing and desorbing the gas , and removing the solvent from the polymer solution so as to form a polymer matrix covering the porous conductive layer .