Stable and Self-Powered SnPS3 Photodetector with Broadband Response from Visible to Near-Infrared

In recent years, transition metal phosphorus trichalcogenides have been successfully applied on multiple occasions in the field of photoelectrochemical (PEC) photodetection. In this work, high-quality SnPS₃ crystals were synthesized via the chemical vapor transport method and then exfoliated via liquid-phase exfoliation method for being utilized as active materials in the PEC-type photodetectors. The device exhibited excellent self-powered response and a broadband detection range from 400 nm to 900 nm in an acidic environment. Under simulated sunlight illumination, it achieved a photocurrent density of 31.2 μA cm⁻², responsivity of 195 μA W⁻¹, with the rise and fall times of 75 and 91 ms, respectively. The best photoelectric response performance appeared under 400 nm light excitation, with a photocurrent density and responsivity of 11.04 μA cm⁻² and 175.19 μA W⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, after approximately 6200 s of long-term cycling test and 66 days of air stability test, the detector’s photocurrent density retention rates were of 89.23% and 81.05%, respectively. This work implies the significant potential of SnPS₃ for being hired in the field of self-powered broadband photodetection.