| abstract |
A conventional direct methanol solid polymer fuel cell comprises a solid polymernelectrolyte as an electrolyte. This type of cell involves some problems; methanol permeatesnthe membrane; the electromotive force lowers because of direct oxidation; and thenmembrane melts at about 130 °C when the temperature is increased to enhance the catalystnactivity. According to the invention, an electrolyte membrane made of a porous substraten(1) that does not swell substantially with methanol and water and has pores (2) filled with anpolymer (3) having proton conductivity is produced and used to suppress the permeation ofnmethanol as much as possible, providing an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells endurablenin a high-temperature environment, a fuel cell comprising such a membrane, a method ofnmanufacturing such a fuel cell, and a method of manufacturing an electrolyte membranencomprising irradiation a porous substrate having swell-resistance against organic solventnand water with energy and contacting the substrate with a monomer to causenpolymerization. |