Applications of Bi2S3-based nanomaterials in photoelectric chemical sensors and biosensors

• We reviewed the applications of bismuth sulfide-based semiconductor materials in biosensors and electrochemical sensors. • The advantages and disadvantages of various semiconductor materials were introduced. • Different types of semiconductor composites were classified and detailed. • The sensing mechanisms of different types of sensors were introduced. • An attractive content about detecting novel COVID-19 virus was added. In recent years, photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors and biosensors have been widely used in food analysis, biomarker determination, trace analysis in water and other fields, which have great significance on human health and environmental protection. Therefore, they have received more and more attention by researchers. Compared with traditional analysis methods, the advantages of sensors are low detection limit, wide linear range, high sensitivity, fast response, low cost and so on. However, the current sensors still have some shortcomings, such as low photoelectric conversion efficiency, difficult synthesis methods and low selectivity. Among many nanomaterials, bismuth sulfide (Bi 2 S 3 ) with high visible light response, wide visible light receiving range, high photoelectric conversion efficiency and good biocompatibility have attracted more and more attention. In this paper, the applications of Bi 2 S 3 based nanomaterials in PEC sensing and biosensor in recent five years were reviewed, their advantages and disadvantages were summarized, and their application prospects were prospected.