Carbon materials represent an attractive alternative to platinum in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) counter electrodes to contribute to an efficient conversion of solar energy into electricity. The use of highly graphitic carbon nanofibers (CNFs) is investigated by analyzing the effect of the filament diameter, surface area and graphitization degree on the DSSC cathode performance. To this purpose, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and physisorption analysis are used to characterize the main properties of the CNFs. The behavior of CNFs as counter electrodes in DSSC is investigated by polarization experiments and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Among the different materials, the CNF characterized by the highest surface area (183 m(2) g(-1)), thinnest filament size (24 nm) and highest density of surface defects shows the best performance in terms of efficiency, open circuit potential and short circuit current density. Further investigation of the electrode thickness together with series and charge transfer resistance cross-analysis evidences the key role played by the surface area and surface graphitization to obtain a suitable performance. Compared to literature, so-obtained CNEs represent an interesting alternative to manufacture low cost DSSC cathodes. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.