Electron transport layer with higher carrier mobility and suitable band gap structure plays a significant role in determining the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we report a synthesis of high crystalline zinc stannate (Zn2SnO4) by a facile hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized Zn2SnO4 possesses particle size of 20 nm, large surface area, mesoporous hierarchical structure, and can be used as a promising electron-transport materials to replace the conventional mesoporous TiO2 material. A perovskite solar cell with structure of FTO/blocking layer/Zn2SnO4/CH3NH3PbI3/Spiro-OMeOTAD/Au is fabricated, and the preparation condition is optimized. The champion device based on Zn2SnO4 electron transport material achieves a power conversion efficiency of 17.21%, while the device based on TiO2 electron transport material gets an efficiency of 14.83% under the same experimental conditions. The results render Zn2SnO4 an effective candidate as electron transport material for high performance perovskite solar cells and other devices. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.