In this study, the SnO2 spherical particles film was firstly grown directly on FTO substrates by using one step hydrothermal method, and CdS QDs were deposited on the surface of the SnO2 spherical particles to act a light absorber by using the successive ionic-layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The photovoltaic performances of the sensitized-type solar cells based on SnO2/CdS electrodes were investigated. A maximum 1.47 mA cm(-2) short circuit current density and 0.22% conversion efficiency under one sun illumination has been achieved. These results demonstrate that the CdS QDs-sensitized SnO2 photoelectrode has a potential application in solar cells. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.