Enhanced photovoltaic performances of N719 dye-sensitized solar-cells were achieved by modifying the titanium oxide (TiO(2)) electrode-sensitized dye interface. Surface of TiO(2) thin film electrode was coated with a calcium oxide (Cao) or lithium fluoride (LiF) thin layer, respectively, in a thermal deposition chamber. As compared to a cell using a bare TiO(2) nanoparticle (NTP) electrode, the solar energy conversion efficiency (eta) was enhanced by 15.1% and 12.8% for the surface of a NTP electrode coated with CaO and LiF, respectively. Moreover, for the surface of a TiO(2) nanotube electrode respectively coated with CaO and LiF, the efficiency was enhanced by 4.8% and 11.6%. This increase in efficiency is attributed to an increase in the adsorption of N719 dye on the CaO or LiF coated TiO(2) thin film electrodes, and the formation of a potential barrier by a CaO or LiF interlayer at the TiO(2) electrode-sensitized dye interface. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.