The ternary oxide zinc stannate (Zn2SnO4) nanoparticles are first used as the electrode materials for the quantum dot sensitized solar cells. CdS quantum dots are utilized to sensitize Zn2SnO4 electrode via a chemical bath deposition technique. The covering of ZnS layer, the kinds of conducting substrates and the thickness of film are optimized to improve the cell performance. The optimal film thickness is found to be 6.4 mu m, and the electrode prepared at sixth CBD cycle exhibits a highest efficiency of 0.228% under the illumination of 1 sun (AM1.5, 100 mW cm(-2)). (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.