Remarkable morphology of platinum (Pt) nanostructures from submicron clusters, by way of nanoclusters, to nanopartides (NPs) was obtained through controlling the heating rate of thermo-decomposition of Pt precursor molecules. Uniform and dense distribution of Pt-NPs was obtained on FTO glass substrate prepared at the heating rate lower than 1.2 degrees C min(-1). The highest electrocatalytic performance, which corresponded to the lowest charge transfer resistance of 0.86 Omega cm(2), was achieved with the counter electrode prepared at the heating rate of 1.2 degrees C min(-1) during sintering. The heating rate during sintering proved to be a sensitive parameter for determining the morphology of Pt-NPs formed on the surface of FTO glass substrate, which subsequently influenced the catalytic activity of the Pt-NPs and subsequently the photovoltaic performance of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC). The highest conversion efficiency of the DSC prepared with the heating rate of 1.2 degrees C min(-1) was 9.30% with fill factor of 67.21%, J(sc) of 18.14 mA cm(-2), and V-oc of 762.5 mV. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.