Using a simple thermal decomposition method, single crystalline cadmium nanosheets were large-scale synthesized from US powder in an argon atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observations show that the Cd nanosheets have dimensions of several hundreds of microns and in average thickness of about 70 nm within the (0002) planes. A polycrystalline US thin layer was found on its surface and was supposed to be the determining factor for the formation of Cd nanosheets. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.