Single crystal three-dimensional TiO2 nanodendrite arrays were prepared by a hydrothermal process, which were successfully sensitized with CuInS2 quantum dots as photo-anodes to fabricate the solar cells. The UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra observe that the TiO2 nanodendrite based photo-anode structures are more efficient to improve the optical absorption properties and electron-hole separation. Electrochemical impedance spectra and photoluminescence decay analysis indicate that the TiO2 nanodendrite based solar cells structure have higher electron injection rate. Under full sunlight illumination, the CuInS2 quantum dot sensitized TiO2 nanodendrite arrays exhibit a photovoltaic power conversion efficiency of 1.26%, which has great improvement offsc comparing with that of CuInS2 quantum dot sensitized with TiO2 nanoparticles and nanorods. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.