Abstract CuI-containing gels for dye-sensitized solar cells are reported. CuI-containing gels consist of CuI, methylpropylimidazolium iodide, iodine, and gelators consisting of polyvinylpyridine and tetra(iodomethyl)benzene. The efficiency increases with an increase in the amount of iodine molecules in the presence of methylpropylimidazolium iodide, which is different from the previous reports in the absence of methylpropylimidazolium iodide. Solidification of the sticky CuI layers is carried out by cross-linking reaction of gelators without decreasing the photovoltaic performances.