In this study, crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol)/sulfosuccinic acid (PVA/SSA) ionic polymer and Nafion((R)) N-115 membranes are used as electrolytes to fabricate different types of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Each MEA is fabricated with various crosslinked PVA/SSA ionomer loadings (0.04-1.5 mg cm(-2)) in catalyst layer based on volumetric ratio between catalyst and ionomer. Properties of each catalyst layer are evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and hydrogen pumping technique. I-V characteristics, impedance, and incubation behaviour of each cell are evaluated in fuel cell testing fixture. Incubation of cell is effective when ionomer loadings are below 0.1 mg cm(-2). At ionomer loading of 0.04 mg cm(-2), PEMFC demonstrates highest power densities than that observed with other loadings of ionomer due to higher electrochemical active surface area of the electrode. Hydrogen pumping studies reveals that the PVA/SSA ionic polymer is a potential anode material for PEMFC electrodes while ionomer loadings are below 0.1 mg cm(-2). (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.