Semiconductive Behavior and Photoconductivity of Uranyl Dithiophosphinate Single Crystal

Herein, we detail the synthesis, structure, and photoconductivity of the uranyl dithiophosphinate single crystal UO₂[S₂P(C₆H₅)₂]₂(CH₃OH)·CH₃OH (denoted as U-DPDPP). The formation of bonds between uranyl ions and sulfur-based ligands endows U-DPDPP with a distinct electronic absorption property with a broadband spectrum spanning from 250 to 550 nm, giving rise to a unique semiconductive property. Under X-ray illumination, U-DPDPP displays a distinctive photoconductivity response, with a charge carrier mobility lifetime (μτ) of 2.78 × 10^-4 cm²·V^-1 achieved, which contradicts the electronic-silence behavior of uranyl nitrate crystal.