Porous electrode for electrode assemblies in a fuel cell

A porous electrode suitable for use in a membrane electrode assembly for solid polymer fuel cells, said electrode comprising a first component comprising a highly dispersed precious metal catalyst on particulate carbon impregnated with proton conducting polymer, said highly dispersed precious metal catalyst being present at a precious metal loading of 0.01-1.0 mg/cm.sup.2 of geometric electrode area, and a second component comprising hydrophobic polymer and a dispersion of particulate carbon, characterized in that said second component is fired at a temperature of at least 280.degree. C. and subsequently said first and second components, are combined to form an electrode active layer, said first and second components having a uniform concentration throughout said electrode active layer.