Sulfonated Si-MCM-41 (SMCM) with an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 2.3 mequiv.g(-1) was used as a hydrophilic and proton-conductive inorganic component. Sulfonated polyimide (SPI) based on 1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic clianhydride and 2,2'-bis(3-sulfophenoxy) benzidine was used as a host membrane component. The SMCM/SPI hybrid membrane (H1) with 20 wt% loading of SMCM and an IEC of 1.90 mequiv.g(-1) showed the high mechanical tensile strength and the slightly higher water vapor sorption than the host SPI membrane (M1) with an IEC of 1.86 mequiv.g(-1). H1 and M1 showed anisotropic membrane swelling with about 10 times larger swelling in thickness direction than in plane one. The proton conductivity at 60 degrees C of H1 was lower in water than that of M1, but comparable at 30% RH. At 90 degrees C, HI showed the rather lower performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) at 82% RH than M1 and fairly better performance at 30% RH. On the other hand, at 110 degrees C and low humidity less than 50% RH, H1 showed the much better PEFC performance than M1 and Nafion 112. This was due to the promoted back diffusion of produced water by the superior water-holding capacity of SMCM. The SMCM/SPI hybrid membranes have high potential for PEFCs at higher temperatures and lower humidities. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V.