The　co-additives　of　benzimidazole　and　2-ethylimidazole　in　electrolyte　have　an　obvious　effect　on　the　performance　of　dye-sensitized　solar　cells　due　to　their　good　coordination　ability　of　titanium　dioxide,　which　could　affect　the　energy　levels　and　charge　transfer　process.　Through　a　balance　of　the　concentrations,　the　best　efficiency　of　7.93%　with　a　high　open-circuit　voltage　of　0.817　V　is　achieved　for　a　cell　fabricated　with　the　electrolyte　contains　benzimidazole　and　2-ehtylimidazole　by　a　molar　ratio　of　9.5/0.5.　©　2017　Elsevier　B.V.