Surface treatment technology of electroless copper plating on polyethylene glycol modified PET film

Polyethylene glycol modificationChemical copper plating on PET filmIt is a surface treatment technique aimed at improving the conductivity, increasing electromagnetic shielding performance, or achieving connections with other metal components by depositing a layer of copper metal on the surface of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film. Here are some practical explanations and key points of the process provided by Advanced Institute Technology:

1. The function of polyethylene glycol

Compatibilizer: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) can be used as a compatibilizer to improve the compatibility between PET and copper metal, which helps to achieve uniform deposition of metal on the surface of PET.

Stabilizer: PEG can also serve as a stabilizer to prevent copper particle aggregation or precipitation during the chemical copper plating process.

2. Chemical copper plating process

Sensitization: Firstly, PET film needs to undergo sensitization treatment to adsorb a layer of sensitizer on its surface, preparing for subsequent metal deposition.

Activation: The sensitized film is then activated to form a layer of catalytically active metal nuclei on its surface, which will serve as sites for subsequent copper deposition.

Chemical copper plating: In a plating solution containing copper salts and reducing agents, copper ions are reduced and deposited as metallic copper on the catalytic active sites on the surface of PET films by controlling the appropriate temperature and pH values.

3. Influencing factors

Pre treatment of PET film: The cleanliness and roughness of the film surface have a significant impact on the copper plating effect.

Composition of plating solution: The type and concentration of copper salt, as well as the type and concentration of reducing agent, can all affect the speed and quality of copper plating.

Temperature and pH value: These parameters can affect the reduction rate of copper ions in the plating solution and the uniformity of deposition.

4. Application Fields

Electromagnetic shielding: Copper plated PET film can be used as an electromagnetic shielding material to reduce the leakage of electromagnetic radiation.

Flexible Electronics: Copper plated PET film has potential applications in the field of flexible electronics, such as flexible display screens, wearable devices, etc.

Packaging materials: Copper plated PET film can be used for packaging materials that require certain conductivity properties by improving conductivity.

5. Challenges and Prospects

Uniformity: Ensuring the uniform distribution of copper layer on the surface of PET film is a challenge.

Long term stability: The long-term bonding stability between the copper plating layer and the PET substrate needs to be further improved.

Environmental friendliness: Developing more environmentally friendly and low pollution copper plating processes is the direction of future research.

In summary, polyethylene glycol modificationChemical copper plating on PET filmIt is an effective surface treatment technology that can further improve the quality and performance of copper plating layers and expand their applications in different fields by optimizing process parameters and plating solution formulations.