Monodispersed anatase TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method using citric acid as a capping agent. The effect of citric acid and the growth time on the formation of TiO2, functional properties and dye-sensitized solar cell performances were investigated. X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy results revealed that the TiO2 nanoparticles possess the anatase phase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurement revealed the formation of spherical nanoparticles with monodispersity in size and morphology. An average size of 14nm was obtained for the growth period of 15 h. The maximum efficiency (eta) of dye-sensitized solar cell was achieved for TiO2 nanoparticles grown for 15 has 7.66% which was higher than that of commercial P25 TiO2 (5.23%) and uncapped nanoparticles (3.68%). (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.