Fuel cell having a corrosion resistant and protected cathode catalyst layer

A fuel cell (20) having a corrosion resistant and protected cathode catalyst layer (24), the fuel cell (20) comprising:

• a. an anode catalyst layer (22) and a cathode catalyst layer (24) secured to opposed surfaces of an electrolyte (26);
• b. wherein the cathode catalyst layer (24) includes a platinum oxygen reduction catalyst and an oxygen evolution catalyst selected from the group consisting of catalysts that are more active than platinum for oxygen evolution;
• c. wherein the cathode catalyst layer (24) defines a reactive surface (62), the platinum oxygen reduction catalyst is uniformly applied across the reactive surface (62), and the oxygen evolution catalyst is non-uniformly applied across the reactive surface (62) of the cathode catalyst layer (24);
• d. wherein the cathode catalyst layer (24) includes a heat-treated carbon support, the carbon support being heat-treated to a temperature at least as high as 2,000° C.;
• and,
• e. wherein the anode catalyst layer (22) includes a poor oxygen reduction catalyst, the poor oxygen reduction catalyst being selected from the group consisting of catalysts having a greater oxygen reduction over potential than platinum.