Electrochemical cell catalyst layers

An electrochemical cell comprising:

• a hydrophobic cathode catalyst layer having a carbon substrate in contact with a biphasic lamellar ionomer, the substrate and the ionomer forming an interface having
• one or more termination groups covalently bonded to the substrate and bonded to interfacial water via hydrogen bonds;
• the interfacial water bonded to the termination groups and hydrophilic groups of the ionomer via hydrogen bonds;
• and
• the hydrophilic groups covalently bonded to a hydrophobic backbone of the ionomer forming an outermost layer of the interface.

A hydrophobic cathode catalyst layer comprising:

• a substrate and catalyst matrix;
• and
• an ionomer forming a thin undulating film in direct contact with the matrix, the ionomer having a porous network including pores facilitating oxygen and water transport, the porous network including predominantly hydrophobic surface structured to prevent water accumulation within the network and formed by a hydrophobic backbone of the ionomer,
• the hydrophobic cathode catalyst layer being cross-linked such that the hydrophobic backbone of the ionomer is affixed in an orientation repelling water.