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

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 µm) at a high temperature—generated under the ultrasonic tip—followed by a recrystallization step producing uniformly‐shaped ultrathin microsheets (A = 0.5–2 µm₂, t: ≈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.