New sulphides of transition metal ions [M+n = Cu+1, Cu+2 and Zn+2] have been synthesised in sunlight. XRD patterns show that these compounds are not MxSy but are mercaptyl, hydroxyl metal sulphides [M(SH)(OH)(H2O)(2)] which is further ascertained by I.R. spectra showing bands due to T-d-symmetry. ESCA of compound of copper in solid state shows presence of Cu1+ and Cu2+ ion. The presence of hydroxyl, mercaptyl, aqua and S-2 groups has finally been confirmed with TGA, DTA and ESCA. Conductivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements show that compound of copper is p-type semiconductor and compound of zinc is n-type semiconductor. The production of these low cost materials opens an interesting area of research and development for their use in solar cell devices. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.