Photoelectrochemical response of some layered chalcogenophosphate compounds /MPX3/

New photoelectrochemical results for the layered chalcogenophosphate compounds MPX3, FePS3, NiPS3, and SnPS3 are presented. The compounds were grown by iodine vapor transport in quartz ampules from a stoichiometric amount of the elements. Crystals of the layered type up to 10 mm x 10 mm x 0.1 mm were grown. The results of the layered compounds from the MPX3 series show good stability in acid solutions under photoelectrolysis condition. The relatively slow increase in the photocurrent with increasing electrode potential suggests high recombination rates for the photogenerated carriers in these layered materials. It is noted that improvements may be possible by, for example, optimizing the preparation of the crystals and the electrode surfaces.