3D-Printed Antenna Design Using Graphene Filament and Copper Tape for High-Tech Air Components

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies can produce lighter parts; reduce manual assembly processes; reduce the number of production steps; shorten the production cycle; significantly reduce material consumption; enable the production of prostheses, implants, and artificial organs; and produce end-user products since it is used in many sectors for many reasons; it has also started to be used widely, especially in the field of aerospace. In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) was preferred for the antenna substrate because it is environmentally friendly, easy to recycle, provides convenience in production design with a three-dimensional (3D) printer, and is less expensive compared to other available materials. Copper (Cu) tape and graphene filament were employed for the antenna patch component due to their benefits. The comprehensive comparative analysis between a full-wave model and a 3D-printed prototype of the antenna via the CST Microwave Studio program was demonstrated here. The surface characterization was achieved with scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. The homogeneous Cu and oxidized graphene (GO) were detected. The weight percent of carbon (C) and oxygen (O) on the graphene surface was 59.82% and 40.18%, respectively. The Cu (111), Cu (200), and Cu (220) peaks were determined on the Cu tape. The GO (011) peak was seen in the XRD spectra of the graphene sheet. The simulation and measurement comparisons are quite satisfactory. The antennas, produced using a conventional 3D printer, will be beneficial for various applications in aeronautics and astronautics.