Multiband antenna made of flexible polymer substrate printed with silver nanoparticles using inkjet print technology - A feasibility study

Abstract

This research paper describes a feasibility study regarding the use of inkjet printing for designing a flexible microstrip antenna. Our prototype antenna is printed, using a specially prepared ink based on silver nanoparticles with diameter ranging from 50 to 200 nm, on a plastic substrate PET (Polyethylene terephthalate). Nanoparticles and flexible PET substrate are used to achieve very advanced parameters in four frequency bands of 1.4 GHz, 3.1 GHz, 5.1 GHz and 6 GHz. These properties could be confirmed in our measurements. Multiband antennas of this type may find use in many portable devices like cell phones, where it would be possible to implement the antenna on the cover in the form of printing, thus yielding important benefits with respect to size and weight. The inkjet printing technology onto flexible polymer substrates serves another wide range of applications, namely those with high demands on flexibility, like for instance wearable technologies.