For the first time, gel-type dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated with gel electrolyte containing poly-1,1'-(methylenedi-4,1-phenylene)bismaleimide (PBMI) prepared by in situ polymerization of the corresponding monomer without an initiator at 30 degrees C. Furthermore, when 0.3 wt % of the exfoliated alkyl-modified nanomica (EAMNM) was added into the gel electrolyte, the corresponding DSSC shows higher short-circuit current density (J(sc) = 17.08 mA/cm(2)) and efficiency (eta = 7.05%) than that with PBMI-gel electrolytes without EAMNM (J(sc) = 15.34 mA/cm(2) and eta = 6.24%, respectively).