Selective transport layer for a proton exchange membrane

A fuel cell for a vehicle, comprising:

• a membrane electrode assembly including
• a first electrode layer including a cathode layer;
• a second electrode layer including an anode layer;
• a proton exchange membrane extending between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, wherein the proton exchange membrane includes a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer;
• and
• a selective transport layer supported by the proton exchange membrane, wherein the selective transport layer includes a composite formed from graphene oxide (GO) and sulfonated-graphene oxide (s-GO), and wherein the selective transport layer is disposed between the cathode layer and the proton exchange membrane;
• a first porous transport layer adjacent to the membrane electrode assembly and the first electrode layer;
• a first separator plate disposed adjacent to the first porous transport layer;
• a second porous transport layer adjacent to the membrane electrode assembly and the second electrode layer and distal from the first porous transport layer;
• and
• a second separator plate disposed adjacent to the second porous transport layer.

A method for forming a membrane electrode assembly, comprising

• forming a selective transport layer on a first side of a proton exchange membrane, wherein the selective transport layer includes a composite formed from graphene oxide (GO) and sulfonated-graphene oxide (s-GO);
• placing a first electrode layer on the selective transport layer;
• and
• placing a second electrode layer on a second side of the proton exchange membrane, wherein the second side is opposite the first side.