Advancements in the use of carbon nanotubes for antenna realization

After the invention of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) by Iijima and Bethune et al. in 1991, numerous fields have opted CNTs for the design and fabrication of compact, miniature, and light weight components and devices. The electronics and communication device like transistors, interconnects for printed circuit boards (PCB) and integrated chips (ICs), filters, and amplifiers have seen a huge transition in terms of materials selection and miniaturization with the adoption of CNTs as the replacement for the metallic parts. The research articles available in open literature give a strong influence of CNTs in the field of Antennas and Propagation. The CNTs have drawn the attention of antenna engineers due to their light weight, low cost, corrosion resistance, temperature stability, tunable conductivity, extraordinary flexibility and elasticity, lower thermal expansion coefficient, and higher tensile strength. Both Single Walled CNTs (SWNTs) and Multi Walled CNTs (MWCNTs) are utilized for the construction of antennas. Basically the conductivity of SWCNTs and MWCNTs is not adequate to achieve desired radiation efficiency. So, techniques such as bundling/ threading of CNTs and doping are adopted to enhance the conductivity of CNTs and radiation efficiency of antennas. In this article a review of CNT based Antennas is made with respect to the types of CNTs being used. This article is also aimed to cover the merits and demerits of CNTs being used in different antennas. This survey also covers recent advancements in CNT materials and fabrication techniques pertaining to the antenna realization.

Automated summary

After the invention of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991, they have been widely adopted in various fields for the design and fabrication of compact, miniature, and light weight components and devices, especially in electronics and communication equipment. The antennas and propagation field has shown a strong interest in CNTs due to their unique characteristics such as light weight, low cost, corrosion resistance, and tunable conductivity. Research is being conducted to enhance the conductivity of CNTs and improve the efficiency of antennas through techniques like bundling/threading and doping.