TiO2 nanoparticles/nanorod composite arrays were prepared on the F-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate through a two-step method of hydrothermal and d.c. magnetron sputtering. The microstructure and optical properties of the samples were characterized respectively by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and UV–vis spectrometer. The results showed that the TiO2 composite nanorod arrays possess the nature of high surface area for more dye molecule absorption and the strong light scattering effects. The dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on TiO2 composite nanorod arrays exhibited a 80%improvement in the overall energy conversion efficiency compared with the pure TiO2 nanorod arrays photoanode.