A device comprising a membrane electrode assembly, porous diffusion media, and at least one pair of bipolar plate assemblies is provided. The membrane electrode assembly is interposed between a pair of diffusion media substrates, the bipolar plate assembly comprises at least one flow field passage, and the bipolar plate assembly engages the diffusion media substrate. The diffusion media substrate comprises a fibrous matrix defining opposing first and second major faces. The substrate comprises an amount of carbonaceous material sufficient to render the substrate electrically conductive. An anion exchange resin layer engages at least a portion of at least one of the first and second major faces of the diffusion media substrate and/or the flow field passage. The anion exchange resin is configured to eliminate anions through exchange with hydroxyl groups or formation of quaternary ammonium salts.