PROTON CONDUCTOR, PROCESS FOR ITS PRODUCTION AND ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES

A new proton conductor capable of exhibiting a high proton conductivity in a dry atmosphere at temperatures in a comparatively wide range including room temperature; a method for production thereof; and an electrochemical device provided therewith. The proton conductor is composed of fullerene molecules and functional groups (having proton (H) dissociative groups) binding thereto through a three-or many-membered ring structure. The method consists of attaching functional groups having ester groups to the fullerene molecule through a three- or many-membered ring structure, thereby giving a derivative, hydrolyzing the derivative with alkali hydroxide, and subjecting the hydrolyzate to ion exchange, thereby forming the proton dissociative groups.