Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) prepared by a novel automatic catalyst spraying under irradiation (ACSUI) technique are investigated for improving the performance of phosphoric acid (PA)-doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The physical properties of the GDEs are characterized by pore size distribution and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical properties of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with the GDEs are evaluated and analyzed by polarization curve, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Effects of PTFE binder content, PA impregnation and heat treatment on the GDEs are investigated to determine the optimum performance of the single cell. At ambient pressure and 160 degrees C, the maximum power density can reach 0.61 W cm(-2), and the current density at 0.6 V is up to 0.38 A cm(-2), with H-2/air and a platinum loading of 0.5 mg cm(-2) on both electrodes. The MEA with the GDEs shows good stability for fuel cell operating in a short term durability test. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.