Copper indium disulfide (CuInS2) thin films as an absorption layer for solar cell and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, were successfully electrodeposited on the FTO coated glass substrate using the simple and inexpensive electrodeposition method and kind of Cu2+ precursor (Cu(salen) and Cu(acac)(2) as novel Cu2+ precursors) on the structural and morphological properties of samples were examined. The XRD diffraction patterns and energy dispersive spectroscopy measurements exhibit that high-quality film with superior crystalline structure was formed in the presence of Cu(salen) as Cu2+ pre- cursor. Also, we found that a suitable heat treatment temperature could suppress the CuS phases and form well-crystallized CIS. As we know, this is the first reported efficiency for any CuInS2 superstrate solar cell to date that fabricated using Cu(salen) as Cu2+ precursor. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation of organic dye in the presence of as synthesized CuInS2 thin films was studied. The as-prepared semiconductor photo- catalysts have a good reusability; it can be successfully reused for 5 times recycling photoactivity tests. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.