Abstract: Disclosed herein are an ionic conductor including a proton conductor, a process for production thereof, and an electrochemical device (such as fuel cell) with said ionic conductor, said ionic conductor being superior in ionic conductivity, water resistance, and film forming properties. The ionic conductor is formed from a polymer in which carbon clusters having ion dissociating functional groups are bonded to each other through connecting groups. The polymer is less water-soluble and more chemically stable than a derivative composed solely of carbon clusters; therefore, it permits many ion dissociating functional group to be introduced thereinto. Moreover, if ion dissociating functional groups are introduced into also the connecting group, it is possible to prevent the concentration of ion dissociating functional groups from decreasing as the result of polymerization. The polymer can be easily synthesized by simple condensation, substitution, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: An ionic conductor, such as a proton conductor, a process for production thereof, and an electrochemical device, such as fuel cell, that includes the ionic conductor is provided. The ionic conductor of the present invention is formed from a polymer in which carbon clusters having ion dissociating functional groups are bonded to each other through connecting groups which can also include one or more ion dissociating functional groups. In this regard, the polymer is less water-soluble and more chemically stable than a derivative composed solely of carbon clusters, thus displaying enhanced ionic conduction properties.

Abstract: A proton conductor is provided. The proton conductor includes a zwitterion salt such as MeImPrSO3 and a proton (H+) donor such as HTFSI. An electrochemical device having a stacked layer structure formed of a first electrode, a second electrode and a proton conducting layer held between these electrodes, wherein the proton conducting layer includes a proton conductor according to the present invention. The present invention can, therefore, provide a proton conductor and electrochemical device, which can be suitably used in a dry state or under high-temperature, non-humidified conditions, can obviate a complex accessory such as a humidifier, and can simplify the system.

Abstract: An ionic conductor insoluble to water and fuel, and capable of stably allowing ions such as protons to conduct therethrough, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electrochemical device. The ionic conductor having a derivative in which an ion-dissociative group is bound to a carbonaceous substance composed of at least one species selected from the group consisting of fullerene molecule, cluster mainly composed of carbon, and structure of linear or tubular carbon; and a polymer of a substance having a basic group. A method of manufacturing an ionic conductor having a step of dissolving the above-described derivative; and a polymer of the substance having the basic group; into a solvent to thereby prepare a homogeneous solution; and a step of removing the solvent. An electrochemical device having a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and an ionic conductor held therebetween, wherein the ionic conductor is composed of the ionic conductor of the present invention described in the above.

Abstract: Disclosed is a proton conductor which does not need to replenish water and which can be used even in a dry atmosphere and in a high temperature range. The proton conductor includes carbon clusters having functional groups capable of releasing a proton, and a substance having portions capable of serving as proton-receiving portions. Alternatively, the proton conductor includes a substance having functional groups capable of releasing a proton, and carbon clusters having portions capable of serving as proton-receiving portions. Carbon clusters, particularly, those carbon clusters which have a specified molecular structure such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, with various acid functional groups introduced thereinto, show proton conductivity even in a dry state, and an addition of a substance for promoting the dissociation of protons to the carbon clusters enhances the proton conductivity drastically.

Abstract: An ionic conductor, such as a proton conductor, a process for production thereof, and an electrochemical device, such as fuel cell, that includes the ionic conductor is provided. The ionic conductor of the present invention is formed from a polymer in which carbon clusters having ion dissociating functional groups are bonded to each other through connecting groups which can also include one or more ion dissociating functional groups. In this regard, the polymer is less water-soluble and more chemically stable than a derivative composed solely of carbon clusters, thus displaying enhanced ionic conduction properties.

Abstract: An oxidant solution for synthesizing a heat-resistant electroconductive polymer, composed of a solution of a non-protonic organic solvent and an oxidant of the organic compound iron salt expressed by the following formula:Fe.sup.3+O [(X)L--(M)m--(Y.sup.-)n]pH.sup.