Novel poly(arylene ether sulfone) (PAES) polymers containing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) side chains were synthesized and characterized with NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermal properties of the copolymers were evaluated with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The polymers showed perfect thermal stability, as the decomposition temperatures were all above 380 degrees C, and exhibited glass-transition temperatures in the range 130-188 degrees C. Furthermore, the surface properties of the copolymers were evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle analysis. The results show that the hydrophobic abilities of the graft copolymer surfaces were improved significantly compared to PAES through the introduction of the PDMS chains. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 2434-2441, 2010