Low oxidation stability is one of the key issues hindering practical application of non fluorinated proton exchange membrane in fuel cells. As a part of the efforts to address this issue, we herein report a novel hydrocarbon proton exchange membrane of polysulfone (PSI) grafted with sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide) (sPPS). The proton conductivity, thermal and oxidation stability of the PSf-g-sPPS membranes were studied and compared against those of conventional polysulfone-graft-sulfonated polystyrene (PSf-gsPS) membranes. The PSf-g-sPPS membranes exhibited superior chemical stability relative to those of PSf-g-sPS membranes: the mass retention ratio of former is 10% higher than that of latter after treatment in Fenton's reagent. Additionally, the conductivity retention ratio of PSf-g-sPPS membranes at 23% graft degree is ca. 30% higher than those of PSf-g-sPS membranes. In terms of thermal stability, the PSf-g-sPPS complete degradation temperature is higher than PSf-g-sPS complete degradation. Based on our study, grafting of aromatic side chain is effective to improve the oxidation stability of non-fluorinated PEM while maintaining good conductivity and swelling resistance. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.