Robust conducting gel electrolytes for efficient quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

•PANi is incorporated into 3D framework of PAA-PEG matrix.•The incorporation manner of PANi has a significant influence on performances.•PANi dosage has a dependence on electrical and electrochemical behaviors.•An impressive power conversion efficiency of 7.36% is recorded.

The incorporation of polyaniline (PANi) with three-dimensional (3D) gel matrix is versatile in expanding reduction reaction (triiodide → iodide) area from Pt counter electrode/electrolyte interface to 3D framework of the conducting gel electrolyte and elevating electrocatalytic activity. In the current work, four methods have been applied to fabricate PANi incorporated poly(acrylic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PAA-PEG) conducting gel electrolytes with an aim of enhancing PANi dosage and therefore charge-transfer ability. The electrical and electrochemical performances of the resultant conducting gel electrolytes are thoroughly characterized. An impressive light-to-electric power conversion efficiency of 7.36% is determined from B2 gel electrolyte based dye-sensitized solar cell.