Investigation of ultra-high-frequency antennas printed with polymer pastes on flexible substrates

Abstract

One of the application areas for printed electronics is producing antennas on flexible substrates. Their mechanical and electrical parameters depend on their design and type of applied materials. Antennas in the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) range, printed on various substrates with polymer materials containing fillers such as silver flakes, silver nanopowder, carbon nanotubes and pastes based on conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:-PSS) are compared. In addition, commercial silver pastes are investigated. Printing processes using these materials and flexible substrates are discussed. The microstructures and electrical parameters of printed layers, as well as properties of performed antennas are described. The best results are exhibited silver antennas that show parameters comparable with their copper equivalents.