Measurements of In(2)S(3) and ZnIn(2)S(4) sprayed thin films thermal characteristics have been carried out using the photodetection technique. The thermal conductivity k and diffusivity D were obtained using a new Protocol based oil photothermal signal parameters analysis. Measured values of k and D were respectively, (15.2 +/- 0.85) W m(-1) K (1) and (69.8 +/- 7.1) x 10 (6) m(2)s(-1) for In(2)S(3), (7.2 +/- 0.7) W m (1) K (1) and (32.7 +/- 4.3) x 10 (6) m(2)s(-1) for ZnIn(2)S(4). These values are extremely important since similar compounds are more and more proposed as Cd-free alternative materials for solar cells buffer layers. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.