Inkjet-printed HF antenna made on PET substrate

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to study planar antenna fabrication in inkjet printing technology. It presents the technological problems connected with the effective deposition of nanoparticle ink on PET substrate via a piezoelectric printhead, as well as the parameters of the fabricated structures. Design/methodology/approachAn antenna model for HF RFID tag was prepared using the tool HyperLynx 3D EM tool on the basis of the results of preliminary studies in the field of inkjet printing. The inkjet printing process was studied by observing the parameters of drops formed by the piezoelectric printhead. The drops of nanoparticle ink were deposited on heated PET substrate which was treated and untreated. After recognizing the morphology conditions simple structures were printed and their profiles were measured. In the next step, antenna structures were printed on untreated PET using an anti-spread strategy. The morphology of the antenna element was observed and defects caused by the various drop parameters were analyzed. The impedance of fabricated antennas was measured and linked to the technological parameters in the discussion section of this paper. The influence of the ageing processes on the antenna properties was finally investigated. FindingsThe results indicate the possibility of inkjet printing the antennas on untreated PET. The antenna parameters are sufficiently repeatable, but the ink deposition technique employed leads to an increase in antenna resistance because of defects caused by the diversity of the drops parameters. The ageing processes cause a decrease in resistance, contrary to preliminary expectations. Originality/valueThis study presents the results of original empirical research connected with the technological processes operating on new nanomaterials and identifies problems that must be resolved in order to disseminate this technology. Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the research method chosen (selected printhead type, substrate, nanoparticle ink and how the technological process was conducted), this study may have limited universality. Therefore, the authors encourage the study of other kinds of equipment and antenna printing materials. Practical implicationsThis study contains the results of real technological processes that can be repeated by other researchers. The results can also be helpful in developing new improved process parameters which can be applied in other processes.