A series of free-standing hybrid anion-exchange membranes were prepared by blending brominated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (BPPO) with poly(vinylbenzyl chloride-co-gamma-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane) (poly(VBC-co-gamma-MPS)). Apart from a good compatibility between organic and inorganic phases, the hybrid membranes had a water uptake of 32.4-51.8%, tensile strength around 30 MPa, and T-d temperature at 5% weight loss around 243-261 degrees C. As compared with the membrane prepared from poly (VBC-co-gamma-MPS), the hybrid membranes exhibited much better flexibility, and larger ion-exchange capacity (2.19-2.27 mmol g(-1)) and hydroxyl (OH-) conductivity (0.0067-0.012 S cm(-1)). In particular, the hybrid membranes with 60-75 wt % BPPO had the optimum water uptake, miscibility between components, and OH- conductivity, and were promising for application in fuel cells. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 3644-3651, 2012