Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) optimized TiO2 photoanodes and their dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were successfully demonstrated in this study for the first time. The characteristics of GQDs were confirmed by Raman and TEM measurements. Study indicated that the amount of dye-adsorption decreased firstly and then increased as the increase of the GQDs in the photoanodes, while that the J(SC), V-OC and eta of the corresponding DSSCs increased firstly and then decreased. Of all the DSSCs, the DSSC with an optimal amount of GQDs showed the best performance with a minimum dye-adsorption while the maximum J(SC) of 14.07 +/- 0.02 mA cm(-2) and eta of 6.10 +/- 0.01%, higher than those of the conventional DSSC (without GQDs) by 30.9% and 19.6%, respectively. The minimum dye-adsorption while the maximum J(SC) and eta obtained in the optimal DSSC are mainly attributed to the unique photoexcitation response of GQDs and the hot electrons injection from GQDs into TiO2. This study indicates that not only the properties of DSSCs can be improved by GQDs, but more importantly, the reduced use of dye by using GQDs is of significant importance for the low cost and environment-friendly DSSCs. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.