Synthesis of a grafted cellulose gel electrolyte in an ionic liquid ([Bmim]I) for dye-sensitized solar cells

► The grafted cellulose was prepared in an ionic liquid as reaction medium. ► The QS-DSSCs were assembled with the gel grafted cellulose electrolytes. ► The general behavior of impedance spectra was similar for gel or liquid electrolyte. ► The best result of the QS-DSSC was the photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.51%.