MoS₂ nanochains were successfully prepared via facile electrospinning and a hydrothermal process. The morphology of MoS₂ nanochains was evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. A slurry composed of the MoS₂ nanochains was coated on a silver electrode to detect ammonia. The detection range of ammonia was between 25 and 500 ppm. MoS₂ nanochains offered outstanding sensing response, repeatable reproducibility, and excellent selectivity with a detection limit of 720 ppb. The responsiveness of MoS₂ nanochains to ammonia remained unchanged for 1 week.

The adaptable monitoring of the ubiquitous magnetic field is of great importance not only for scientific research but also for industrial production. However, the current detecting techniques are unwieldly and lack essential mobility owing to the complex configuration and indispensability of the power source. Here, we have constructed a self-powered magnetic sensor based on a subtle triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that consists of a magnetorheological elastomer (MRE). This magnetic sensor relies on triboelectrification and electrostatic induction to produce electrical signals in response to the MRE’s deformation induced by the variational magnetic field without using any external power sources. The fabricated magnetic sensor shows a fast response of 80ms and a desirable sensitivity of 31.6 mV/mT in a magnetic field range of 35–60 mT as well as preliminary vectorability enabled by the multichannel layout. Our work provides a new route for monitoring dynamic magnetic fields and paves a way for self-powered electric-magnetic coupled applications.