In this paper, TiO(2) nanorods surface was functionalized with poly(1-methoxy-4-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV), offering a hybrid nanocomposite (MEH-PPV-TiO(2) NRs) that was directly applied for the preparation of active layer in hybrids photovoltaic devices. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photophysical properties verified that the intimately contact between the polymer chains and TiO(2) nanorods, by removing the surfactants originally on the TiO(2) nanorod Surfaces. The performance of the MEH-PPV-TiO(2) NRs photovoltaic devices was investigated by current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and intensity modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS), in comparison to the device based on the blend (MEH-PPV/TiO(2) NRs) that was prepared by a conventional mixing process. Results showed that the device performance of the MEH-PPV-TiO(2) NRs composite was greatly enhanced, and the power conversion efficiency under monochromic illumination (470 run, 15.8 mW/cm(2)) was improved by -30% with respect to the device based on the MEH-PPV/TiO(2) NRs counterpart, giving an optimized device performance of a short-circuit Current density of 0.45 mA/cm(2), all open-circuit voltage of 0.65 V and a power conversion efficiency of 0.10% under simulated AM 1.5 illumination (100 mW/cm(2)). It was also demonstrated that there was a Suitable concentration (ca. 17 mg/mL) of the hybrid dispersion for the fabrication of effective devices. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.