A novel series of Bronsted acid-base complexes were prepared by the combination of 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (DOD) with a super strong acid bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (HTFSI) at various molar ratios. The DOD-HTFSl complexes showed high ionic conductivities and were electroactive for H-2 oxidation and O-2 reduction at a Pt electrode. The complexes could serve as fuel cell electrolytes under entirely non-humidifying conditions and at elevated temperatures. The concept of the DOD-HTFSl complexes was applied to a polybase, poly[p-phenylene-2,5-(1,3,4-oxadiazole)] (POD), and the ion-conduction behavior of the POD-HTFSI complexes was discussed with a view to realizing anhydrous solid-state fast proton conductors. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.