M. Charbonnier et al., ELECTROLESS PLATING OF POLYMERS - XPS STUDY OF THE INITIATION MECHANISMS, Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, 28(4), 1998, pp. 449-453
This paper deals with polymer metallization by the electroless process
. Previous studies in the authors' laboratory have shown the interest
of plasma surface treatments of polymers before chemical metallization
and the significant role they play towards the chemisorption of a cat
alyst (Pd2+ ions). Three different processes are used to activate the
polymer surface for electroless deposition: namely, the one-step proce
ss using a mixed SnCl2-PdCl2 solution, the conventional two-step proce
ss using SnCl2, then PdCl2, and a new simplified process (using only P
dCl2), previously proposed by the authors. According to the process ut
ilized a variable initiation time is observed before metal deposition
takes place in the metallization bath. The surface phenomena occurring
on the polymer during this initiation time are studied by XPS through
the chemical form of palladium adsorbed on the surface and through ch
anges in the Pd surface concentration. A reaction mechanism relative t
o the initiation of the metallic ion reduction is proposed.