The density functional theory (DFT) based adsorption analysis of NH3 and PH3 gas molecule has been made for confirming the sensing behaviour of ZnS nanotube. For a particular orientation of XH3 (X = N or P), the ZnS nanotube is found to be a good sensor with Zn as interactive site, discussed in terms of chemisorption and physisorption. Partial density of state (PDOS) analysis reveals strong interaction between few selected fragments from XH3 and ZnS nanotube. The quality of interaction for most favourable orientation is further scrutinized using charge decomposition analysis (CDA) analysis and sensing ability through current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.