Dye-sensitized solar cells with ionic gel electrolytes prepared from imidazolium salts and agarose

New ionic gel electrolytes, semi-solid state electrolytes comprised of ionic liquid and gelator were investigated in order to improve the durability of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The ionic gels were prepared from agarose, natural polysaccharide, and 1-alkyl-3-methyl-imidizolium salts. The gels showed sufficient mechanical strength even though a very small amount of agarose was added (1.0-1.5 wt%). The photon to electron conversion efficiency of the DSCs containing ionic gel electrolyte was 2.93% under simulated sunlight (air mass 1.5) with a light intensity of 100 mW cm(-2).