A fuel cell electrode protective layer forming method is disclosed. The method includes forming primary defects in a carbon-based protective layer material via a formation step. The primary defects are configured to transport fuel cell products and/or reactants representing a transported portion of a total fuel cell products and/or reactants. The difference between the total fuel cell products and/or reactants and the transported portion is an untransported portion. The method further includes activating secondary defects in the carbon-based protective layer material via an activation step. The secondary defects are configured to transport a portion of the untransported portion of the total fuel cell reactants and/or products. The activation step is different than the formation step.