Study of structure formation during electroless plating of thin metal-composite membranes

For a fundamental understanding of the electroless plating technique for preparing metal-composite membranes by the appropriate use of osmotic pressure, as well as for optimization of the deposited films, it is necessary to develop a mechanistic model of electroless plating that describes evolution of microstructure during film growth. In the present work, based on data obtained mainly by using an atomic force microscope, the kinetics of different microstructural parameters describing the formation of thin palladium films on porous Vycor glass by the electroless plating technique are presented. Detailed comparisons of these kinetics for cases with and without osmosis are made. A physical model that describes the role of osmosis during the electroless plating process is also developed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.