An inexpensive and durable polyelectrolyte composition includes both an
aromatic polymer containing carbonyl linkages and/or sulfonyl linkages in
the backbone chain and bearing cation-exchange groups and a fused salt
exhibits a high ionic conductivity even in the absence of water or a
solvent. The aromatic polymer is preferably an aromatic polyether sulfone
comprising specific structural units and bearing cation-exchange groups,
an aromatic polyether ketone comprising specific structural units and
bearing cation-exchange groups, an aromatic polyether sulfone block
copolymer consisting of at least one hydrophilic segment bearing
cation-exchange groups and at least one hydrophobic segment free from
cation-exchange groups, and/or an aromatic polyether ketone block
copolymer consisting of at least one hydrophilic segment bearing
cation-exchange groups and at least one hydrophobic segment free from
cation-exchange groups. The use of such a block copolymer as the aromatic
polymer gives polyelectrolyte compositions which are excellent in
maintenance of structure even at high temperature.