Chemical deposition of cadmium selenide (CdSe) films has been carried out from alkaline aqueous solution containing Cd2+ and Se2- ions. In general, the alkaline pH of the CdSe deposition bath has been adjusted by addition of liquid ammonia. However, the use of ammonia in large-scale chemical deposition method represents an environmental problem due to its volatility and toxicity. The volatility of ammonia changes the pH of deposition bath and results into irreproducible film properties. In the present paper, ammonia-free and weak alkaline (pH < 9.0) chemical method for cadmium selenide film has been developed. The cadmium selenide films are microcrystalline (grain size 0.5-0.7 mum) with hexagonal crystal structure. These films are photoactive and therefore, useful in photo conversion of light into electrical power. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.