Nanoscale Characterization and Mechanism of Electroless Deposition of Silver Metal
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: This dissertation is an investigation of the nanoscale characteristics and mechanism of electrolessly deposited silver metal seeded by gold nanoparticles. The process of growing seed-nanoparticles on a polymer surface was studied. Several bifunctional amines and organic reducing agents were used to explore how these chemical factors affect the size and distribution of gold nanoparticles formed at the interface. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). An electroless deposition (ED) bath developed by Danscher was selected to study electroless deposition of silver in detail. The chemical species in the bath were varied to determine how concentration, nature of the carboxylate buffering species, and the presence and absence of gum arabic affect the morphology of silver metal formed by ED and the overall rate of deposition at the surface. The kinetics of deposition using the Danscher bath was studied in detail to elucidate the mechanism of ED. Knowledge generated from this investigation can be used to expand applications of silver ED where strict control over the nanoscale morphology of the deposited metal is required to obtain specific chemical and physical properties.
Author: Christopher N. Grabill
Language: English
Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3011095705