Quaternized polyepichlorohydrin/PTFE composite anion exchange membranes for direct methanol alkaline fuel cells

► Novel composite anion exchange membranes are prepared using polyepichlorohydrin (PECH) to avoid chloromethylation. ► SEM results indicate that quaternized PECH has penetrated into the pores of the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes. ► The membranes have good thermal stability under an air atmosphere and are stable in basic media with KOH concentration up to 8 M at 30 °C. ► The composite membranes would not become brittle in the presence of water.