Wireless communication in the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming ubiquitous with the large-scale deployment of the fifth-generation (5G) networks. [1] New communication protocols

Deicing heating layers are frequently used in covers of large radio-frequency (RF) equipment, such as radar, to remove ice that could damage the structures or make them unstable. Typically, the deicers are made using a metal framework and inorganic insulator; commercial resistive heating materials are often nontransparent to RF waves. The preparation of a sub-skin-depth thin film, whose thickness is very small relative to the RF skin (or penetration) depth, is the key to minimizing the RF absorption. The skin depth of typical metals is on the order of a micrometer at the gigahertz frequency range. As a result, it is very difficult for conventional conductive materials (such as metals) to form large-area sub-skin-depth films. In this report, we disclose a new deicing heating layer composite made using graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). We demonstrate that the GNR film is thin enough to permit RF transmission. This metal-free, ultralight, robust, and scalable graphene-based RF-transparent conductive coating could significantly reduce the size and cost of deicing coatings for RF equipment covers. This is important in many aviation and marine applications. This is a demonstration of the efficacy and applicability of GNRs to afford performances unattainable by conventional materials.

We report that conductive films made from hexadecylated graphene nanoribbons (HD-GNRs) can have high transparency to radiofrequency (RF) waves even at very high incident power density. Nanoscale-thick HD-GNR films with an area of several square centimeters were found to transmit up to 390 W (2 × 10(5) W/m(2)) of RF power with negligible loss, at an RF transmittance of ∼99%. The HD-GNR films conformed to electromagnetic skin depth theory, which effectively accounts for the RF transmission. The HD-GNR films also exhibited sufficient optical transparency for tinted glass applications, with efficient voltage-induced deicing of surfaces. The dispersion of the HD-GNRs afforded by their edge functionalization enables spray-, spin-, or blade-coating on almost any substrate, thus facilitating flexible, conformal, and large-scale film production. In addition to use in antennas and radomes where RF transparency is crucial, these capabilities bode well for the use of the HD-GNR films in automotive and general glass applications where both optical and RF transparencies are desired.

Anti-icing and de-icing heaters layers are frequently used in covers of large radio frequency (RF) equipment, such as radar or communication antennas, to prevent ice accumulation or completely remove it avoiding possible structure damage or service disruption. Typically the de-icing structures are produced using a metal framework and inorganic insulator and generally bulky, heavy and costly. In this report, we disclose a new de-icing heater layer composite made using graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). We demonstrate that the conductive GNR film is thin enough to be transparent for broadband RF signal of any polarization with minimal impact on antenna scan performance. This metal-free, ultra-light, robust and scalable graphene-based RF transparent conductive coating could significantly reduce the size and cost of de icing/anti-icing coating and could be important in many aviation and military applications. This is a demonstration of the efficacy and applicability of graphene to afford performances unattainable by conventional materials.

No abstract