Carbon-free CuInSe2 (CIS) thin film with a dense microstructure has been prepared using a novel non-vacuum based fabrication route. CuxSy and In2Se3 binary nanoparticles, approximately 10 nm in size, were synthesized by a low temperature colloidal process. The precursor film was deposited using the coating ink formulated with the binary nanoparticles and pyridine, and then annealed in the rapid thermal annealing (RTA) chamber at 540 degrees C for 15 min under selenium (Se) atmosphere. Scanning electron micrographs, X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra showed a phase pure carbon-free and dense CIS thin film was prepared in this method. A solar cell device fabricated using this CIS thin film showed the following photovoltaic characteristics: V-OC = 350 mV, J(SC) = 24.72 mA cm(-2), FF = 38.73% and eta = 3.36% under standard AM 1.5 condition. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.