Stable Layered Sulfur Nanosheets Prepared by One-Step Liquid-Phase Exfoliation of Natural Sublimed Sulfur with Bovine Serum Albumin for Photocatalysis

Inspired by graphene nanosheets, one kind of two-dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterials, sulfur nanosheets (S-NSs), were prepared by direct sonication exfoliation of the sublimed sulfur suspended in an aqueous solution containing bovine serum albumin (BSA). The prepared S-NSs showed a wide range of absorption properties from ultraviolet to the visible region, distinct multiwavelength photoluminescence (PL), and a significant electrochemiluminescence (ECL) phenomenon during potential cycled scanning or potential pulse step. Moreover, the S-NSs were found to have superb stability over 2 months in air and the strong ability to be a visible-light-active element photocatalyst. The prepared S-NSs will potentially be applied in the field of photocatalysis, sensors, optoelectronics, and transistors.