Template-free TiO2 hollow submicrospheres embedded with SnO2 nanobeans as a versatile scattering layer for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Nanobean SnO2-embedded TiO2 hollow submicrospheres are presented as a scattering layer for the first time in dye-sensitized solar cells. This designed mesoporous submicrostructure simultaneously promotes dye adsorption, light harvesting, and electron transport, leading to 28% improvement in the conversion efficiency compared to film-based SnO2.