The scope of the present work was to investigate and evaluate the electrochemical activity of H-2/O-2 fuel cells based on the influence of a heteropolyacid glass membrane with a Pt/C electrode at low temperature. A new trend of sol-gel derived PMA (H3PMo12O40) heteropolyacid-containing glass membranes inherent of a high proton conductivity and mechanical stability, was heat treated at 600 degrees C and implemented to H-2/O-2 fuel cell activities through electrochemical characterization. Significant research has been focused on the development of H-2/O-2 fuel cells using optimization of heteropolyacid glasses as electrolytes with Pt/C electrodes at 30 degrees C. A maximum power density of 23.9 mW/cm(2) was attained for operation with hydrogen and oxygen, respectively, at 30 degrees C and 30% humidity with the PMA glass membranes (4-92-4 mol%). Impedance spectroscopy measurements were performed on a total ohmic cell resistance of a membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) at the end of the experiment. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.