A series of poly(arylene ether ketone)s (PAEKs) with dense sulfonic-acid-functionalized pendants were successfully synthesized by the Ullmann C-N coupling of a polymer precursor containing pendant iodobenzene rings and 3,6-ditrityl-9H-carbazole, followed by sulfonation using chlorosulfonic acid. A tough transparent membrane, which exhibited suitable dimensional stability and high proton conductivity, was obtained by casting an N,N-dimethylacetamide polymer solution. DSPAEK-CZ-25 (IEC = 2.03 meq. g(-1), where IEC = ion-exchange capacity) exhibited the highest proton conductivity of 177 mS cm(-1) at 100 degrees C; this value is significantly greater than that of Nafion 117. In terms of molecular design, the large difference in polarity between the fluorinated polymer backbone and the concentrated pendant sulfonic acid groups possibly induces good phase-separation morphology, which enhances conductivity and dimensional stability. The obtained membranes exhibited excellent thermal stabilities and good mechanical properties. Overall, the DSPAEK-CZ polymers exhibited outstanding comprehensive performance as potential materials for proton exchange membranes (PEMs). (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.