We report a Nafion 112 (DuPont)-based membrane containing a recast film made of sulfonated poly(vinyl alcohol) and Nafion composite for the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Without a significant increase in the membrane resistance, this composite membrane demonstrates a reduction of the methanol permeation rate by as much as 48% when compared to the native Nafion. This membrane is mechanically robust and should be a suitable membrane electrolyte for the DMFC. (C) 2002 The Electrochemical Society.