Utilizing Topological Insulator Two-Dimensional Bismuth for Ultrasensitive Acoustic Detection.

Topological insulators (TIs) are characterized by a full insulating gap in the bulk and gapless edge or surface states, which have attracted tremendous attention. 2D Bi (110), as a typical TI, is of particular interest due to its low symmetry structure and topologically protected and spin-momentum-locked Dirac surface states. However, the material's potential applications are hindered by difficulties in fabrication, due to its strong semi-metallic bonding and poor stability. In this study, a novel electrochemical intercalation method for the fabrication of ultrathin Bi (110) nanosheets with the highest yield ever reported is presented. These nanosheets are stabilized through cathodic exfoliation in a reductive environment and further modification with polymer ionic liquids. The versatility of these nanosheets is demonstrated by fabricating flexible acoustic sensors with ultrahigh sensitivity. These sensors can even detect sounds as quiet as 45 dB. Furthermore, these sensors are utilized for acoustic-to-electric energy conversion and information transfer. This work offers a promising approach for scalable fabrication and preservation of ultrathin 2D TI Bi (110) nanosheets and paves the way for their integration into smart devices.