Atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition of tin monoselenide and tin diselenide films on glass substrate was achieved by reaction of diethyl selenide with tin tetrachloride at 350-650 degrees C. X-ray diffraction showed that all the films were crystalline and matched the reported pattern for SnSe and/or SnSe2. Wavelength dispersive analysis by X-rays show a variable Sn:Se ratio from 1:1 to 1:2 depending on conditions. The deposition temperature, flow rates and position on the substrate determined whether mixed SnSe-SnSe2, pure SnSe or pure SnSe2 thin films could be obtained. SnSe films were obtained at 650 degrees C with a SnCl4 to Et2Se ratio greater than 10. The SnSe films were silver-black in appearance and adhesive. SnSe2 films were obtained at 600-650 degrees C they had a black appearance and were composed of 10 to 80 mu m sized adherent crystals. Films of SnSe only 100 nm thick showed complete absorbtion at 300-1100 nm. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.