Fuel cell with randomly-dispersed carbon fibers in a backing layer

A fuel cell (40) includes first and second catalysts (12′), (14′) secured to opposed surfaces of an electrolyte (16′); a first flow field (26′) secured in fluid communication with the first catalyst (12′) defining a plurality of flow channels (30A′, 30B′, 30C′, 30D′) between a plurality of ribs (32A′, 32B′, 32C′, 32D′, 32E′) of the first flow field (26′); and a backing layer (42) secured between the first flow field (26′) and the first catalyst (12′). The backing layer (42) includes a carbon black, a hydrophobic polymer, and randomly-dispersed carbon fibers (44). The carbon fibers (44) are at least twice as long as a width (46) of the flow channels (30A′, 30B′, 30C′, 30D′) defined in the adjacent first flow field (26′). The backing layer (42) replaces a known substrate (22) and diffusion layer (18).