Membrane electrode assembly having a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst

Membrane electrode assembly (10) includes an anode (12) including a hydrogen oxidation catalyst, a cathode (14), a membrane (16) provided between the anode (12) and cathode (14), the anode and the membrane ( disposed on at least one position selected from the group consisting of a layer between the layer and the cathode and the membrane (50) between the 47), and when exposed to hydrogen peroxide, benign products from the hydrogen peroxide It comprises a peroxide decomposition catalyst (18), the having a selectivity for the resulting reaction. Peroxide decomposition catalyst is also disposed within the membrane (16). Furthermore, power generation for a fuel cell system comprising such a membrane electrode assembly (10), and method of operating the fuel cell system is disclosed. Components of the assembly includes not perfluorinated or perfluorinated, hot, good ionomeric material be a hydrocarbon.