A microporous layer for use in a fuel cell includes a first carbon black having carboxyl groups at a concentration less than 0.1 mmol per gram of carbon, a hydrophobic additive and a hydrophilic additive. A method for producing a membrane electrode assembly includes preparing a microporous layer ink, applying the microporous layer ink to a first side of a gas diffusion substrate, sintering the gas diffusion substrate to form a gas diffusion layer having a first side with a microporous layer, and thermally bonding the first side of the gas diffusion layer to an electrode layer. The microporous layer ink includes a suspension medium, a first carbon black having carboxyl groups at a concentration less than 0.1 mmol per gram of carbon, a hydrophobic additive and a hydrophilic additive.