Both the catalytic and ohmic polarization of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell must be improved to achieve commercialization. Herein, high-performance membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) were prepared using an amide-type chemical, i.e., N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) as a solvent for the catalyst ink. Influence of different solvent on the catalyst-layer (CL) surface microstructure was clarified to achieve high fuel-cell performance. The electrochemical performance of the MEAs made from different ink formulation was examined in detail using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. As a result, the NMP-glycerol ink with a 10 wt.% glycerol was used to form a dense and well-connected Pt/C-Nafion agglomerated CL, followed by enhanced catalytic and ohmic polarizations relative to the glycerol and NMP CLs. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.