Thin Film Nanocomposite Enhancing Electromagnetic Radiation of a Flexible Radiator

Abstract

It is shown that a thin film nanocomposite (NC) coating the radiator enhances the electromagnetic radiation in a particular band. The parameter enhancement in a rigid radiator is done with a metal strip, which is not suitable for a flexible substrate radiator. The NC, i.e. carbon nanotubes-iron-nickel-cobalt (CNT-FeNiCo) nanocomposite, proposed in the radiator design has good electric, magnetic and mechanical characteristics suitable for a flexible radiator. The NC film coated on a shorter radiating strip improves the upper band radiation of a dual-band radiator. The bandwidth of the upper band in the NC-coated radiator is enhanced by 102.50% with a good improvement in the gain and radiation efficiency. The concentration and distribution of CNTs in the antenna substrate coating changes the dielectric constant of the substrate, which can be tailored for specific antenna requirements. Unique properties of the CNT-FeNiCo NC synthesized for radiator fabrication are considered. A uniform NC coating is applied in accordance with the thickness and concentration to enhance the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. The proposed radiator produces a 2.30–4.10 GHz (1.80 GHz) bandwidth in the lower band and 4.75–6.35 GHz (1.60 GHz) in the upper band, which covers the ISM, WLAN, WiMAX, WiFi and 5G bands.