A quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) was fabricated using poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropylene) [P(VDF-HFP)] as a polymer gelator to form gel electrolyte. The differential scanning calorimetry measurement showed the solution-to-gel transition temperature (TSG) of the gel was about 71 ℃. It was found that the gelation decreased the apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) values of triiodide and iodide ions and the conductivity in electrolyte. The influence of gelation on the charge recombination at the dyed TiO2 mesoscopic electrode/electrolyte interface was investigated by adopting a linear sweep voltammetry technology. The result showed that the gelation increased the dark reaction at the dyed TiO2 mesoscopic electrode/electrolyte interface. The result of the accelerated aging test showed that the gel electrolyte based DSC exhibited much better stability than the device based on the liquid electrolyte.

Key words: gel electrolyte, apparent diffusion coefficient, conductivity, dye-sensitized, solar cell