Microwave (MW) plasma was applied to the surface of polyimide (PI) films as a treatment to enhance the adhesion between copper deposition layer and PI surface for electroless plating. The influences of nitrogen MW plasma treatment on chemical composition of the PI surface were investigated by using X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The wettability was also investigated by water contact an...

A novel technique for obtaining nonanomalous Ni-Zn-P coatings with high Ni content ~74 wt % as compared to 15-20 wt % in the conventional plating method! has been developed. These coatings show promise as a replacement for Cd in sacrificially protecting steel. Ni-Zn-P coatings were deposited using an electroless method from a solution containing NiSO4 , complexing agent and ammonium chloride. V...

Carbon-supported bimetallic Pt-Co cathode catalysts have been previously identified as higher activity alternatives to conventional Pt/C catalysts for fuel cells. In this work, a series of Pt-Co/C catalysts were synthesized using electroless deposition (ED) of Pt on a Co/C catalyst prepared by modified charge enhanced dry impregnation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning transmission electron ...

This work reviews the use of porous silicon (PS) as a nanomaterial which is extensively investigated and utilized for various applications, e.g., in the fields of optics, sensor technology and biomedicine. Furthermore the combination of PS with one or more materials which are also nanostructured due to their deposition within the porous matrix is discussed. Such nanocompounds offer a broad aven...

A mathematical model based on mixed potential theory was developed which was used to optimize a non-anomalous Ni–Zn–P electroless deposition process developed by us at USC. The model was developed by assuming an adsorption step in addition to the electrochemical steps. The concentrations of the Zn and Ni complex were estimated by solving the material balances in addition to the electroneutralit...

In this study, we proposed and tested different procedures for the preparation of Au/Si cantilevers Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). The TERS sensors was based on three methods: chemical (electroless) deposition, thermal evaporation Au tip commercially available in a vacuum, electrochemical etching microwires. We fabricated four types probes, then used these probes measurements using gra...

We report the effect of a magnetic field on deposition copper ions conically shaped iron probe. In our setup, forces and buoyancy are key factors influencing electrolyte flow mass transfer. Without external current, spontaneous reduction cone occurs, known as electroless deposition. Mach–Zehnder differential interferometry indicate variation in concentration near cone. After an initial transien...