A hybrid bipolar membrane was developed for high-temperature applications. In particular, the cation-exchange layer was prepared by hybridizing sulfonated poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (SPPO) with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (A1100) while the anion-exchange layer was prepared from a hybrid anion-exchange material-poly(VBC-co-gamma-MPS) (VBC, vinylbenzyl chloride; gamma-MPS, gamma-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane). The results indicated that, by incorporation of inorganic silica in the anion/cation exchange layers, the bipolar membrane could have higher thermal stability and efficiency of water dissociation at 25-80 degrees C. Moreover, palygorskite and FeCl(3) were added into the intermediate layer to further enhance water dissociation. All these modifications made the final hybrid bipolar membrane promising for use at high temperature. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.