This paper explores the possibility of using azo-benzene-based carbon nanotubes as catalyst support in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Despite the growing awareness about the advantages of renewable resources, fossil fuels in coal and petroleum dominate the energy consumption scenario. The primary reason for this situation is the greater commercial viability of fossil fuels. Fuel cells are an important, environment-friendly means of utilizing the energy stored in hydrogen. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are the most advantageous fuel cells for automobiles as they are compact, more efficient, and can operate at lower temperatures. However, the traditional PEMFCs require performance improvement. The paper discusses a possible material that may find potential application in the fuel cell as an alternative to the carbon nanotubes existing so far. The material allows the storage and application of solar energy in addition to hydrogen energy (which was utilized in traditional PEMFCs). The resulting fuel cell can utilize two green energy sources, namely Hydrogen and Solar energy. Solar energy stored as chemical energy on excitation of Azo-Benzene-based carbon nanotubes gets released during the working of the fuel cell. It can be simultaneously utilized for other practical applications such as heating applications, running electrical appliances, etc.

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S. Sarkar and V. Ilango “Improvement of fuel cell performance by application of carbon nanotubes,” International Journal of Technology and Engineering Studies, vol. 2, no. 6, pp. 180-184, 2016