Nanocrystalline TiO2-based films with a special penniform microstructure were prepared by reactive DC magnetron sputtering followed by dye sensitization. The films were integrated in a solar cell configuration and were able to yield a higher photocurrent than sol-gel-produced Ti-oxide-based films of similar thickness. The photoelectric conversion efficiency reached 4% in similar to 10-mu m-thick sputter deposited films. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.