Epoxy-Nanoceramic Composites for 5G Antennas

Abstract

Epoxy–nanoceramic composites of BiVO4 (BVO), LaNbO4 (LNO), and Li6Mg7Ti3O16 (LMT) were prepared using the solvent mixing method. The ceramic nano-fillers volume fractions were (5, 8, 10, and 12%). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) were used to investigate the crystal structure and size distribution of nanoceramics, respectively. The dielectric constant and loss tangent were measured in the frequency range of (4-8) GHz. The measurement technique was the waveguide approach via a Vector Network analyzer (VNA). The effect of the volume fraction of ceramic fillers on the dielectric constant and loss tangent of the composites at 5.28 GHz (5G) was investigated. This work aims to design composite materials for 5G antennas of lower cost while maintaining the properties of 5G antennas. The results show that an optimum volume fraction of the ceramic filler brings the dielectric properties to their best value. However, epoxy composite with a 5% volume fraction of LMT shows good microwave dielectric properties (dielectric constant = 2.17 and loss tangent = 0.011) at 5.28 GHz. In addition, epoxy- LMT composite with an exceptionally low volume fraction of 5% provides a low-cost material for a 5G antenna. Another aspect of the cost reduction is the elimination of the costly and troublesome compaction and high-temperature sintering process. Furthermore, the epoxy composite overcomes the disadvantages of the high brittleness of the sintered all-ceramic products. As a result, epoxy composite with the 5% volume fraction of LMT is a potential candidate for 5G antenna materials.

Keywords

• 5g antenna
• inorganic nanoparticles
• microwave dielectric ceramics
• epoxy
• microwave dielectric properties