Design of globally aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) film reflector to enhance antenna directivity

Carbon nanotubes are one-dimensional tube-shaped hexagonal lattice structures with a nanometer scale radius, that exhibit promising electrical, optical, and mechanical properties useful in nanotechnology. Specifically, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) made of concentric cylindrical carbon layers are shown to have higher conductivity, and are often dispersed in. Using a controlled slow vacuum filtration (SVF) process, globally aligned MWCNT films can be created from these solutions, and the fabricated films exhibit anisotropic conductivity which could be essential for creating ultra-light-weight reflector antennas. These high directivity antennas are often made with spaced metal strips to decrease weight while maintaining performance from the high conductivity in one specific axis. In this presentation, we examine the use of MWNCT films prepared using an automated SVF setup as reflectors to enhance the directivity of a 10 GHz dipole antenna. We compare the radiation efficiency and the radiation pattern of this antenna made of aligned MWCNT reflectors with standard metal reflectors.