A trimethoxysilane derivative of propylmethylimidazolium iodide has been synthesized and presented for the first time. When mixed with iodine, it can be used as gel electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells offering through sol-gel condensation practically solid-state devices with satisfactory overall efficiency which was estimated at 3.2%. The specific conductivity of the gel electrolyte was increased by the addition of iodine and also with temperature. Variations to the cell performance were also examined by the addition of organic and inorganic acids to the electrolyte. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.