Bi-layer counter electrodes made of platinum films (Pt) coated on porous nickel oxide nanosheets (PNO) were investigated for a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The PNO and Pt films were deposited using a chemical bath deposition and a DC sputtering technique, respectively. Connected networks of sputtered Pt on PNO nanosheets significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activities due to the increase in the electroactive areas. The solar conversion efficiency of the FTO/PNO/Pt DSSC was 8.17% in comparison to 7.23% for the FTO/Pt DSSC. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.