STUDY OF THE ROLE OF SODIUM HYPOPHOSPHITE IN ELECTROLESS NICKEL BATH SOLUTION

Cyclic voltametric investigations have been made to understand the ele ctrochemical behaviour of sodium hypophosphite in electroless plating bath solution. The possible reaction steps at the anode and cathode ha ve been identified. An ECE type of mechanism appears to be operative i n the overall reaction during electroless plating. Both organic and in organic species in the bath solution influence the voltammetric patter n of the hypophosphite. Temperature enhances the peak currents and cha nges the reaction mechanism. The oxidation potentials of the reaction steps vary with temperature and also the presence of organic component s in the bath solution.