An assembly for use in a fuel cell comprising a first membrane having an inner portion and an outer peripheral portion; a second membrane having a corresponding inner portion to the inner portion of the first membrane, and a corresponding outer peripheral portion to the outer peripheral portion of the first membrane; a structural film layer disposed between at least part of the outer peripheral portion of first membrane and the corresponding outer peripheral portion of the second membrane; and the inner portion of the first membrane contacting the corresponding inner portion of the second membrane to provide ionic communication between the first membrane and the second membrane. The structural film provides added strength and stability to the assembly.