TiO2 nanocrystallites with titanium (IV) fluoride treatment were fabricated and studied as dye sensitized solar cells photoanode. F doping into pre-existing mesoporous TiO2 is achieved by a simple hydrolysis method. Overall photo-to-current conversion-efficiency of the device could be enhanced up to 23% due to the increase of photocurrent density, fill factor and open-circuit voltage, compared with undoped TiO2. From electrochemical impedance measurements, we deduce that the presence of F dopants enhances cell performance by improving the charge transport and retarding the recombination process in the photoanode. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.