A platinum black air cathode has an active layer and a support layer. The active layer comprises platinum black plus hydrophobic binder, typically a fluorinated polymer. The support layer may be made up from carbon black bound with a halopolymer binding agent. Such combination can provide for economical utilization of active ingredient without sacrifice of cathode structural integrity. To assist in this structural integrity, a thin support mesh may be used, preferably with the support layer. There can also be employed between the active layer and the support layer a porous bonding layer, which can find broader utilization with layered gas diffusion electrodes in general. For highly desirable, greatly extended operation of the platinum black air cathode, the cathode can be operated intermittently, or anodically polarized or be subjected to infrequent voltage suppression, as well as being involved with any combination of the foregoing.