Abstract Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes of general formula [Ru(bpy) 3 − x (Mebpy-CN) x ] 2 + (x = 1,2 and 3, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, Mebpy-CN = 4-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine-4′-carbonitrile) can be used as visible dyes in novel solar cells formed with a porous TiO 2 film (1 cm 2 ), Pt counter-electrode and iodine/iodide as the redox mediator electrolyte dissolved in a polymeric matrix. These complexes can be anchored over the surface of nanocrystalline TiO 2 through nitrile groups, as evidenced by Raman spectra of the adsorbed species. Irradiated by a solar simulator (67 mW cm − 2 ), the cells assembled with the Ru complexes with x = 2 and 3 as TiO 2 sensitizers exhibit almost identical current–potential curves, with short-circuit photocurrents of 1.25 mA cm − 2 , fill factors of 0.5 and overall efficiencies around 0.44%. The Ru complex with x = 1 and a similar Re complex did not perform as well as sensitizers. These data were consistent with results obtained from quantum efficiency curves and impedance spectra. We conclude that complexes with nitrile groups as anchoring entities are promising candidates for designing efficient DSCCs.