Noncatalytic surfaces, electroless deposition

In this chapter we discuss the electrochemical model of electroless deposition (Sections 8.2 and 8.3), kinetics and mechanism of partial reactions (Sections 8.4 and 8.5), activation of noncatalytic surfaces (Section 8.6), kinetics of electroless deposition (Section 8.7), the mechanism of electroless crystallization (Section 8.8), and unique properties of some deposits (Section 8.9). 

Noncatalytic surfaces (e.g., nonconductors, noncatalytic metals, noncatalytic semiconductors) have to be activated (i.e., made catalytic) prior to electroless deposition. This activation is performed by generating catalytic nuclei on the surface of a noncatalytic material. Two major types of processes have been used to produce catalytic nuclei electrochemical and photochemical. 

The electroless deposition involves the chemical reductirMi of a metal salt from the solution to a surface. Noncatalytic surfaces, such as insirlating polymers, have to be activated (made catalytic) prior to the electroless deposition. Usually, this is performed by generating metal nuclei on the surface of the noncatalytic material. In this way, the metal ion is preferentially reduced at the sensitized surface so that only this surface is plated with the desired metal. ... 

Electroless reactions must be autocatalytic. Some metals are autocatalytic, such as iron, in electroless nickel. The initial deposition site on other surfaces serves as a catalyst, usually palladium on noncatalytic metals or a palladium—tin mixture on dielectrics, which is a good hydrogenation catalyst (20,21). The catalyst is quickly covered by a monolayer of electroless metal film which as a fresh, continuously renewed clean metal surface continues to function as a dehydrogenation catalyst. Silver is a borderline material, being so weakly catalytic that only very thin films form unless the surface is repeatedly cataly2ed newly developed baths are truly autocatalytic (22). In contrast, electroless copper is relatively easy to maintain in an active state commercial film thicknesses vary from <0.25 to 35 p.m or more. 

---