CdSe/ZnO composite coatings have been produced on glass substrates by sintering at 350 to 500 degreesC screen printed layers of CdSe powder, ZnCl2 flux (0.1 to 0.5 of flux to powder ratio) and propylene glycol. Depending on the composition of the paste and sintering conditions, photocurrent to dark current ratios of 10(6) to 10(8) are observed in the composite film under an intensity of illumination of similar to 2000 W m(-2). X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence studies showed that the formation of the CdSe/ZnO composite takes place at temperatures of 350 degreesC and above involving loss of nearly 75% of the chlorine at 350 degreesC and a near total loss at 500 degreesC forming a ZnO layer covering the CdS pigments. Loss of Zn through evaporation of ZnCl2 and loss of Cd and Se through evaporation of CdCl2 and Se formed in the sintering process are postulated and evidenced in X-ray fluorescence. The CdSe and ZnO components forming the highly photoconductive composite coating are of hexagonal phase with average grain size of 20-25 nm.