A method is provided for making a hydrophilic carbon fiber construction, such as a fuel cell gas diffusion layer or diffuser/current collector, by electrophoretic deposition of a metal oxide selected from Type I or Type II, where Type I consists of metal oxides having a negative zeta potential and Type II consists of metal oxides having a positive zeta potential. A hydrophilic carbon fiber construction is provided, such as a fuel cell gas diffusion layer or diffuser/current collector, which is coated with a metal oxide and capable of wicking 200 mg of water per 40 mg of the hydrophilic carbon fiber construction.