In this paper, we reported a novel, simple, and cost-effective route to SnTe films. The films were prepared by a chemical bath method, at room temperature and ambient pressure, using conventional chemicals as starting materials with or without surfactant. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The SnTe film deposited without surfactant consists of nanoparticles (similar to 100 nm). The film deposited using polyethyleneglycol (PEG) as the surfactant consists of nanoparticles with size of similar to 25 nm, whereas the film deposited using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the surfactant consists of rough rod-like nanostructures (similar to 50 in diameter and similar to 500 nm in length), besides nanoparticles (similar to 40-180 nm). The SnTe film deposited with PEG is smoother and denser. The formation mechanism of the SnTe films was proposed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.