A membrane electrode assembly component for a fuel cell includes a generally planar gas-permeable body having opposed first and second faces defining in-plane and through-plane directions, a side face extending about an outer perimeter of the body and adjoining each of the first and second faces, and an active region bounded by the first and second faces and an active region perimeter defined generally within the outer perimeter. The active region includes a distribution of cerium-zirconium oxide nanofibers dispersed across at least one of the in-plane and through-plane directions, wherein the cerium-zirconium oxide nanofibers have a molecular formula of CexZryO4.