Composite membranes consisting of EMPyr(FH)(1.7)F (EMPyr = N-ethyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium) ionic liquid and hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) polymer (EMPyr(FH)(1.7)F/HEMA monomer = 7:3, 8:2, and 9:1 in molar ratios) were prepared as electrolytes for a nonhumidified fuel cell. The composite membranes showed good thermal stability up to 453 K, regardless of the HEMA content For the EMPyr(FH)(1.7)F-HEMA (9:1) composite membrane, ionic conductivities were 8.9 and 81.9 mS cm(-1) at 293 K and 373 K, respectively. In the single cell tests, a maximum power density of 32 mW cm(-2) was observed at 323 K for a cell using the EMPyr(FH)(1.7)F-HEMA (9:1) composite membrane under nonhumidified conditions. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.