In this paper, the authors report the growth of Pb thin films on both Si and Nb substrates by radio-frequency sputtering technique. Deposited films were characterized and tested to deduce the structure, the morphology, the nanomechanical properties, and also the quantum efficiency. Granular structures and large presence of voids were observed by scanning electron microscopy; moreover, the roughness and grain size of the film surface, investigated by surface probe microscopy, increased with the film thickness. Crystallographic orientation, studied by x-ray diffraction, showed the growth of polycrystalline Pb thin films and the presence of weak diffraction peaks related to penta-lead oxide (Pb5O8). The nanomechanical analysis reveals a film hardness with a value (similar to 1.5GPa) well beyond the hardness of Pb bulk (0.04GPa). Finally, twin Pb thin films deposited on Nb substrates were tested as photocathodes showing its great potentiality to be used in superconducting radio-frequency guns with a quantum efficiency of 5 x 10(-5). (C) 2017 American Vacuum Society.