One-pot synthesis of peacock-shaped TiO2 light scattering layer with TiO2 nanorods film for dye-sensitized solar cells

► Hydrothermal synthesis was used to make bilayered TiO2 film. ► Dual functional peacock-shaped light scattering layer was formed upon the compact TiO2 film. ► Acid (HCl and CH3COOH) control in the solution affects the morphological properties. ► Bilayered film exhibits the sharp increase in conversion efficiency (3.93%) versus (1.49%) of TiO2 NRs film.