The P1- or C343-sensitized NiO photocathodes for p-DSSCs were optimized to obtain substantial current from thin films prepd. in two steps rather than one. These films are capable of adsorbing more dye, in comparison to one step films with the same thickness, due to their greater d., and appear to show better charge collection efficiency. Consequently, a significant photocurrent is obtained from the p-DSSC, giving 64% IPCE. The electrode should have sufficient current to match an n-type photoanode in a tandem cell, allowing an improvement the Voc above that of TiO2-based n-DSSCs.