Investigation of proton transport through carbon nanotube segment

Abstract

Abstract Proton transport plays key role in fuel cell technology and development. Therefore, carbon nanotubes can be employed for proton transport. In this research, segments of carbon nanotubes are used as molecular-scale channel to transport proton. Two rings of a small carbon nanotube is considered as segment and transport of proton from one end of the segment to the other end is investigated. Results show that proton undergoes minimum and maximum structures with respect to their energies and can be absorbed inside the segment. Energy profile of the proton transport structures is calculated and barrier and Gibbs free energies of the specie are also reported.