Thermoplastic-imbibed diffusion media to help eliminate MEA edge failure

A fuel cell comprising:

• an anode side including an anode diffusion media layer and an anode catalyst layer, wherein the anode diffusion media layer includes a blocking agent formed within side edges of the anode diffusion media layer a distance so that the blocking agent extends within outside edges of the anode catalyst layer;
• a cathode side including a cathode diffusion media layer and a cathode catalyst layer, wherein the cathode diffusion media layer includes a blocking agent formed within side edges of the cathode diffusion media layer a distance so that the blocking agent extends within an outside edge of the cathode catalyst layer;
• and
• a membrane positioned between and in contact with the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer.

A method of making a fuel cell, said method comprising:

• providing an anode diffusion media layer;
• providing an anode catalyst layer;
• providing a cathode diffusion media layer;
• providing a cathode catalyst layer;
• depositing a blocking agent within one or both of the anode diffusion media layer or the cathode diffusion media layer so that the blocking agent extends within outside edges of the anode catalyst layer and/or the cathode catalyst layer, wherein the blocking agent prevents or restricts gases that flow through the diffusion media layers from flowing to the membrane without first flowing to the catalyst layers;
• and
• providing a membrane between and in contact with the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer.