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. Therefore, the process
is suitable for mass production in high yields.