In　this　report,　Zn2SnO4　microspheres　with　controllable　shell　numbers　have　been　synthesized　for　the　first　time　via　a　sol-gel　route　followed　by　a　hydrothermal　process,　and　have　been　used　as　electrodes　for　assembling　dye-sensitized　solar　cells.　It　is　found　that　the　photovoltaic　properties　of　cells　is　influenced　by　shell　number　and　the　best　efficiency　of　5.04%　can　be　achieved　for　the　cell　composed　of　microsphere　with　a　double-shell　structure.　This　result　might　be　contributed　to　the　fact　that　the　electrode　composed　of　double-shell　microspheres　could　increase　dye　adsorption　amount,　charge　collection　efficiency,　and　light　scattering　ability　and　suppress　charge　recombination.　©　2019　International　Solar　Energy　Society