Data-Intensive Exploration of the Photoelectrochemical Responses of Main-Group Metal Sulfides

Materials that efficiently promote the thermodynamically uphill water-splitting reaction under solar illumination are essential for generating carbon-free (“green”) hydrogen. Mapping out the combinatorial space of potential photocatalysts for this reaction can be expedited using data-intensive materials exploration. The calculated band gaps and band alignments can serve as key indicators and metrics to computationally screen photoactive materials. Ternary main-group metal sulfides containing p- and s-block elements represent a promising, albeit underexplored, class of photocatalysts. Here, we computationally screen 86 candidate ternary main-group metal sulfides containing p- and s-block elements. By validating electronic structure predictions against experimental band gaps and band edges for synthetically accessible materials, we propose eight potential photocatalysts. Using computed Pourbaix diagrams, we further narrowed the candidate pool to four materials based on the predicted aqueous stability. We then synthesized and characterized these four materials and experimentally screened them for photoresponsiveness under photocatalytically relevant conditions. We also characterized their experimental band gaps and band edge positions and compared them with computational predictions. Based on the experimental screening protocols, we identify MgIn₂S₄ and BaSn₂S₅ as photoresponsive materials with sufficient aqueous stability to be considered in greater depth as potential photocatalysts for overall water-splitting.