Ternary semiconductor Cu-Sb-Se films were grown on 304 stainless-steel/Cr and ITO-glass using a combination of electrodeposition and chemical bath techniques. The samples were annealed in a N(2) atmosphere at various temperatures and characterized by X-ray, electron probe microanalysis, current-voltage, capacitance-voltage and photocurrent spectroscopy. Photoelectrochemical studies were used to determinate the flat-band potential and the doping density of the material. These data lead to energetic considerations on the applicability of the Cu-Sb-Se electrode in the photoelectrochemical decomposition of water. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.