A series of novel side-chain-type sulfonated hydroxynaphthalene poly(aryl ether ketone)s (SHNPAEKs) containing hydroxyl groups was synthesized by post grafted method and the sulfonated degree (Ds) of the polymers could be well controlled. The resulting polymers were characterized by H-1 NMR, FT-IR and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Meanwhile, the membrane properties for fuel cell applications such as water uptake, proton conductivity and methanol transport have been studied. The influence of pendent structure and inter-/intramolecular H-bonded to the properties of SHNPAEKs has been investigated. The proton conductivities of SHNPAEK membranes showed a range of 0.020-0.197 S/cm and the highest conductivity of 0.197 S/cm was obtained for SHNPAEK-90 (IEC = 2.08 meq./g) at 80 degrees C. The methanol permeability of SHNPAEK membranes was in the range from 2.65 x 10(-7) to 11.9 x 10(-7) cm(2)/s, which was much lower than that of Nafion 117. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.