Abstract: The invention is a method of reducing catalyst dissolution in the cathode of a membrane electrode assembly fuel cell, said method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between said anode and said cathode; (b) assembling a fuel cell using said membrane electrode assembly; (c) applying a fluid comprising an oxidant to said cathode of said membrane electrode assembly; (d) applying a fluid comprising a fuel to said anode of said membrane electrode assembly; and (e) supplying a sufficient quantity of reducing agent to said cathode to maintain the average open-circuit voltage of said cathode at less than about 0.98 V.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell at an operating temperature below about 150 degrees Celsius, wherein the fuel cell has an anode and a cathode with an electrolyte interposed therebetween, the cathode having at least one surface in contact with a cathode chamber having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and the anode in contact with an anode chamber having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and the electrolyte containing less than about 500 ppm of a catalyst capable of enhancing the formation of radicals from hydrogen peroxide. The method includes the steps of applying a fuel to the anode chamber; applying an oxidant to the cathode chamber; and controlling the amount of water supplied to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber such that water vapor pressure is sub-saturated at the operating temperature at the gas outlet of the cathode chamber.