THE ROLE OF ELECTROLESS PLATING BATH CONSTITUENTS IN THE CATALYTIC-OXIDATION OF THE HYPOPHOSPHITE ION

Oxidation of the hypophosphite ion by water at the surface of a standa rd reference nickel catalyst (EuroNi-1) has been studied at 80 degrees C and pH 4. The effects of a number of bath additives, commonly used in electroless plating bath formulations, have been studied by measure ments of the hydrogen evolved and the phosphorus deposited on the cata lyst. This reaction occurs concurrently with the plating reaction in e lectroless plating baths, using hypophosphite as reducing agent. The r esults of this work are discussed in terms of their relevance to the m echanism of electroless plating.