To enhance the compatibility between electrode and membrane and also reduce methanol crossover from anode to cathode in direct methanol fuel cells, a Nafion membrane coated with a PVdF copolymer/Nafion blend has been prepared and characterized. This coated Nafion shows reduced methanol crossover and an enhancement in cell performance due to its improved compatibility with the electrode compared to that of native Nafion. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.