Plasma Chemical Modification of Polycarbonate Surfaces for Electroless Plating

Abstract

The preliminary steps of the “electroless” metallization of polycarbonate are investigated by XPS. They consist of the chemisorption of a catalyst (Pd) on the surface to be metallized. The corresponding surface can be activated either by chemical etching or by reactive or non-reactive gas plasma treatment. Therefore, the surface treatment of polycarbonate determines the palladium adsorption. It is shown here that a surface carrying oxygenated functions adsorbs palladium through Sn²⁺ ions which are themselves bonded to oxygen atoms. On the other hand, a surface on which nitrogenated groups have been grafted (by NH₃ or N₂ plasma treatment) chemisorbs palladium directly on these nitrogen atoms. Reaction mechanisms are proposed in both cases and a new and simplified process for making the surfaces catalytic is proposed.

Key Words:

• polycarbonate
• polymer metallization
• surface modification
• low-pressure plasma
• plasma surface treatment
• palladium chemisorption
• “electroless” metallization
• XPS characterization