Cadmium zinc selenide (Cd0.7Zn0.3Se) nanocrystalline thin films were chemically synthesized onto indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate at relatively low temperature (< 90 degrees C). The as-deposited films were annealed in air at 200,300, and 400 degrees C for 60 min. The structure and surface morphology of the films were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The water-soluble conjugated polymer, poly(2-ethynyl-N-carboxy-propyl-pyridinium bromide) (LM3), with quaternary pyridinium salts was layered by dipping the as-deposited and annealed Cd0.7Zn0.3Se films in the aqueous polymer solution. This hybrid photoanode system was subjected to photoelectrochemical (PEC)study under a light illumination intensity of 80 mW/cm(2). (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.