Titania (TiO2) nanorods (NRs) and nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using oleic acid as a surfactant and employed as photoanodes for dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) fabrication. The synthesized NRs and NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The photovoltaic performances were compared between NRs, NPs, and their composites. The results showed that the power conversion efficiencies (eta) of the composites depend on the relative compositions of NRs and NPs in photoanodes, reaching the greatest at 10% NR content. eta of the pure NRs DSSC was lower than that of the NPs DSSC. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the highest eta at 10% NRs is mainly due to reduced charge transport resistance at the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface and electrolyte diffusion resistance, overcoming the reduction of the number of adsorbed dye molecules. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.