Improved performance of dye-sensitized solar cells: An TiO2-nano-SiO2 hybrid photoanode with post-treatment of TiCl4 aqueous solution

► A TiO2-nano-SiO2 hybrid film was prepared by depositing a paste of TiO2 (P25) incorporated with SiO2. ► The optimal concentration of TiCl4 solution was found to be 75 mM for the post-treatment. ► A photoelectron conversion efficiency of 6.39% was achieved for the prepared dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). ► SiO2 gives a significant improvement in the performance of the DSSCs.