Selective catalytic activation of non-conductive substrates
First Claim
1. A method of plating on a non-conductive substrate, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) applying a catalytic ink to at least a portion of a surface of the non-conductive substrate, wherein the catalytic ink comprises;
i) a solvent;
ii) a source of catalytic metal ions;
iii) a crosslinking agent;
iv) a copolymer; and
v) a polyurethane polymer;
b) reducing the source of catalytic metal ions to its associated metal with a suitable reducing agent; and
c) plating metal on the catalytic ink applied to the portion of the surface of the non-conductive substrate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process of providing a pattern of a metal on a non-conductive substrate to create loop antennae for wireless articles, for creating circuitry for smart cards, such as phone cards, and for providing electromagnetic shielding of electronic devices is provided. The method comprises the steps of catalyzing the non-conductive substrate by applying a catalytic ink, reducing a source of catalytic metal ions in the catalytic ink to its associated metal, depositing electroless metal on the pattern of catalytic ink on the surface of the substrate; and plating electrolytic metal on the electroless metal layer to produce the desired pattern of metal on the non-conductive substrate. The catalytic ink typically comprises one or more solvents, a source of catalytic metal ions, a crosslinking agent, one or more copolymers, a polyurethane polymer, and, optionally, one or more fillers.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of plating on a non-conductive substrate, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) applying a catalytic ink to at least a portion of a surface of the non-conductive substrate, wherein the catalytic ink comprises;
i) a solvent;
ii) a source of catalytic metal ions;
iii) a crosslinking agent;
iv) a copolymer; and
v) a polyurethane polymer;
b) reducing the source of catalytic metal ions to its associated metal with a suitable reducing agent; and
c) plating metal on the catalytic ink applied to the portion of the surface of the non-conductive substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification