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.