Anion exchange membrane fumasep (R) FAA-2 was characterized with ex and in situ methods in order to estimate the membranes' suitability as an electrolyte for an alkaline direct methanol fuel cell (ADMFC). The interactions of this membrane with water, hydroxyl ions and methanol were studied with both calorimetry and NMR and compared with the widely used proton exchange membrane Nafion (R) 115. The results indicate that FAA-2 has a tighter structure and more homogeneous distribution of ionic groups in contrast to the clustered structure of Nafion, moreover, the diffusion of OH(-) ions through this membrane is clearly slower compared to water molecules. The permeability of methanol through the FAA-2 membrane was found to be an order of magnitude lower than for Nation. Fuel cell experiments in 1 mol dm(-3) methanol with FAA-2 resulted in OCV of 0.58 V and maximum power density of 0.32 mW cm(-2). However, even higher current densities were obtained with highly concentrated fuels. This implies that less water is needed for fuel dilution, thereby decreasing the mass of the fuel cell system. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for the ADMFC was used to determine ohmic resistance of the cell facilitating the further membrane development. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.