Studies on Carbon Materials-Based Antenna for Space Applications

Printing small antenna structures for space application would be highly challenging, and the materials to be used for the antenna fabrication would have major impact on the performance of the antenna system. Antennas are primely fabricated using copper as the material. In recent times, various materials are being explored for their applicability, reliability, durability, and scalability with respect to antenna applications. In lieu of the high thermal conductivity of copper, which could lead to thermal expansion on exposure to sun’s rays and thus decrease its efficacy as an antenna; graphene has been a better competitor and contender for space antennas. Taking cost of synthesis and capital investment into consideration, this paper aims to give a face-lift to the other allotropic forms of carbon, namely graphite, lampblack, and activated charcoal, which are comparatively far cheaper and extensively available and could be on a par with graphene as far as antenna application is concerned.