High Crystal Quality 2D Manganese Phosphorus Trichalcogenide Nanosheets and their Photocatalytic Activity

Transition metal phosphorus trichalcogenides (MPX3, X = S, Se) are layered materials possessing high chemical diversity and wide range of applications in a broad wave length spectrum. Theoretical studies reveal that auspicious activity of photocatalytic water splitting can be realized from them. However, experimental efforts have so far been challenged with the synthesis bottleneck. Described herein is the general chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth method and photocatalytic activity of these materials. A novel route to systematically grow MnPX3 nanosheets on flexible carbon fiber substrate is reported. The temperature profile of the CVD process is carefully optimized that confer a facile and successful conversion of oxide precursor to phospho-trichalcogenide with high crystallinity. Moreover, the obtained manganese-based phosphorus trichalcogenide nanosheets demonstrate promising activity in sacrificial agent-free photocatalytic water splitting under simulated solar light (AM 1.5G). This study provides a significant stepping stone in exploring the fascinating world of functional 2D materials and pursuing performance enhancement.