A novel organic/inorganic polymer membrane based on poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid/3-glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane polymer electrolyte membrane for direct methanol fuel cells

► Dual proton sources of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (PAMPS) and sulfosuccinic ► acid (SSA) are used to blend PVA host polymer to enhance the proton ionic conductivity; it is found that the ionic conductivity is of the order of 10−2 S cm−1 at room temperature. ► 3-(glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) is applied to the composite polymer membrane form a semi-interpenetrating network (SIPN) to improve the dimensional stability. ► The cell performance of DMFC depends on the composition of the composite polymer membranes and the operating conditions.