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Electrolyte membranes loaded with KH 5 (PO 4 ) 2 are prepared by immersing SiO 2 /polybenzimidazole (PBI) matrices into molten KH 5 (PO 4 ) 2 . The morphologies, chemical structures, thermal properties, mechanical properties and proton conductivities of the electrolyte membranes are examined. The utilization of SiO 2 /PBI matrices ensures that the KH 5 (PO 4 ) 2 -loaded electrolyte membranes possess excellent mechanical properties. With the highest SiO 2 doping rate, the K/(3SiO 2 /7PBI) electrolyte membrane has favorable mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 55.83 MPa and an elongation of~5 5%, which satisfy the requirements for membrane electrode assemblies in intermediate temperature fuel cells. In addition, this electrolyte membrane possesses a superior conductivity of 0.139 S cm -1 at 180°C under an H 2 O/N 2 atmosphere and shows desirable conductivity stability at elevated temperatures. A fuel cell equipped with the K/(3SiO 2 /7PBI) electrolyte membrane exhibits an open-circuit voltage of 1.01 V and its peak power density reaches 36 mWcm -2 .

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