A conventional direct methanol solid polymer fuel cell comprises a solid
polymer electrolyte as an electrolyte. This type of cell involves some
problems; methanol permeates the membrane; the electromotive force lowers
because of direct oxidation; and the membrane melts at about 130.degree.
C. when the temperature is increased to enhance the catalyst activity.
According to the invention, an electrolyte membrane made of a porous
substrate (1) that does not swell substantially with methanol and water
and has pores (2) filled with a polymer (3) having proton conductivity is
produced and used to suppress the permeation of methanol as much as
possible, providing an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells endurable in a
high-temperature environment, a fuel cell comprising such a membrane, a
method of manufacturing such a fuel cell, and a method of manufacturing
an electrolyte membrane comprising irradiation a porous substrate having
swell-resistance against organic solvent and water with energy and
contacting the substrate with a monomer to cause polymerization.