Bismuthene Metallurgy: Transformation of Bismuth Particles to Ultrahigh-Aspect-Ratio 2D Microsheets

Bismuthene Metallurgy: Transformation of Bismuth Particles to Ultrahigh-Aspect-Ratio 2D Microsheets

WoS Article

Ultrathin bismuth exhibits promising performance for topological insulators due to its narrow band gap and intrinsic strong spin-orbit coupling, as well as for energy-related applications because of its electronic and mechanical properties. However, large-scale production of 2D sheets via liquid-phase exfoliation as an established large-scale method is restricted by the strong interaction between bismuth layers. Here, a sonication method is utilized to produce ultrahigh-aspect-ratio bismuthene microsheets. The studies on the mechanism excludes the exfoliation of the layered bulk bismuth and formation of the microsheets is attributed to the melting of spherical particles (r = 1.5 mu m) at a high temperature-generated under the ultrasonic tip-followed by a recrystallization step producing uniformly-shaped ultrathin microsheets (A = 0.5-2 mu m(2), t: approximate to 2 nm). Notably, although the preparation is performed in oxygenated aqueous solution, the sheets are not oxidized, and they are stable under ambient conditions for at least 1 month. The microsheets are used to construct a vapor sensor using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as detection technique. The device is highly selective, and it shows long-term stability. Overall, this project exhibits a reproducible method for large-scale preparation of ultrathin bismuthene microsheets in a benign environment, demonstrating opportunities to realize devices based on bismuthene.

Ultrathin bismuth exhibits promising performance for topological insulators due to its narrow band gap and intrinsic strong spin-orbit coupling, as well as for energy-related applications because of its electronic and mechanical properties. However, large-scale production of 2D sheets via liquid-phase exfoliation as an established large-scale method is restricted by the strong interaction between bismuth layers. Here, a sonication method is utilized to produce ultrahigh-aspect-ratio bismuthene microsheets. The studies on the mechanism excludes the exfoliation of the layered bulk bismuth and formation of the microsheets is attributed to the melting of spherical particles (r = 1.5 mu m) at a high temperature-generated under the ultrasonic tip-followed by a recrystallization step producing uniformly-shaped ultrathin microsheets (A = 0.5-2 mu m(2), t: approximate to 2 nm). Notably, although the preparation is performed in oxygenated aqueous solution, the sheets are not oxidized, and they are stable under ambient conditions for at least 1 month. The microsheets are used to construct a vapor sensor using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as detection technique. The device is highly selective, and it shows long-term stability. Overall, this project exhibits a reproducible method for large-scale preparation of ultrathin bismuthene microsheets in a benign environment, demonstrating opportunities to realize devices based on bismuthene.

2D materials; bismuthene; high-resolution transmission electron microscopy; sensors; ultrasonication

2D materials; bismuthene; high-resolution transmission electron microscopy; sensors; ultrasonication

MOHSEN BELADI, M.; YING, Y.; PLUTNAR, J.; PUMERA, M.

2021

01.07.2020

WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH

WEINHEIM

1613-6829

Small

16

29

Federal Republic of Germany

2002037-1

2002037-6

6

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/smll.202002037