<p>In this research the photovoltaic performance of DSSC using ZnO (Zinc oxide) as photoanode doped with Sm and Mn has been investigated. ZnO was doped with Mn and Sm at varying concentrations using the sol–gel method. The cooperative effect of Sm and Mn on ZnO was characterized using different characterization techniques. XRD reveals that nanoparticles formed have hexagonal wurtzite structure and calculated lattice parameters are well matched with the reported value. The Band gap was calculated from UV–Visible spectroscopy and doping with Mn shows a decrease in the band gap (E_g). Sm harvests UV radiation via down conversion and thus broadens the incident spectrum. Surface morphology was successfully investigated using SEM. Further photoanode was prepared using the doctor-blade technique, thin films of nanoparticles were coated on the FTO glass substrate and the DSSC was assembled. The prepared Solar cell was tested for its efficiency under the solar simulator. Photovoltaic measurement shows a considerable increase in efficiency using both transition metal as well as rare earth elements as dopants.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>