Electroless deposition catalysed by gold in the photographic gelatin layerstudied with positron annihilation

The effects of free volume holes in the photographic gelatin in the electro less deposition process was studied by positron annihilation technology in this paper. The results show that, after complete activation, the average v olume of the free volume holes in photographic gelatin decreased by about 0 .011 nm(3), which is equivalent to the volume of a gold atom. On an average basis, every free volume hole was filled by a gold atom which catalysed th e electroless copper deposition. The copper grain formed in the electroless copper deposition was not filamentary in shape but a spherical stack. Afte r electroless copper deposition was completed, the average volume of the fr ee volume holes in the photographic gelatin decreased by about 0.020 nm(3), which is equivalent to the volume of three copper atoms. Therefore, the de position of copper in isotropic and spherical form was not hindered by free volume holes in photographic gelatin.