By using two spatially separated reference electrodes in a single cell proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), the individual potentials of the anode and cathode are recorded under realistic operating conditions. The PEMFC is operated under dead-end anode (DEA) mode, without any humidification, to mitigate water accumulation at the anode. Although N-2 crossover from cathode to anode may play an important role in PEMFCs operating under DEA mode, our results unexpectedly show that the over-potentials of both the anode and cathode concomitantly increased or decreased at the same time. The increases of over-potentials correlate to the increase of the high frequency resistance of the cell (R-hf) imply that the water content in the membrane electrode assemblies is critical. However, the subsequent H-2 depletion tests suggest that water may accumulate at the interface between the surface of the catalyst and the ultrathin perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer film and this contradicts the above (the increase in R-hf implies the drying out of the MEAs). This study highlights the need for further research into understanding the water transport properties of the ultrathin PFSA ionomer film (<60 nm): it is clear that these exhibit completely different properties to that of bulk proton-exchange membranes (PEM). (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.