Photocurrent, humidity sensitivity and proton conductivity properties of a new sulfide semiconductor CsCuS4.

Copper chalcogenides have drawn considerable attention due to their prominent semiconducting properties. A new Cu-containing semiconductor, namely, CsCuS4 (1), was obtained by a halide salt flux method. Its structure featured 1D infinite ∞1[CuS4] - chains, where the polysulfide anion S42- was relatively rare in Cu chalcogenides. The compound was multifunctional and exhibited significant photocurrent, humidity sensitivity, and proton conductivity properties. Specifically, it exhibits an "on" state photocurrent response of 0.95 μA cm-2 and an "off" state photocurrent response of 0.55 μA cm-2 with good reversibility. The humidity-sensitive resistance in dry air (10% RH) could reach up to six orders of magnitude higher than that in wet air (100% RH). Compound 1 showed an activation energy of 0.19 eV and may have potential electrochemical applications.