A simple process for electroless plating nickel-phosphorus film on wood veneer

A facile electroless Ni-P plating process for preparing EMI shielding wood-based composite was studied. In the process, the activation was combined with electroless deposition in the plating bath. By a simple and environmentally friendly method, Ni-P film was easily deposited on the surface of birch veneer. The plated specimens were observed by SEM, and it was found that the film is uniform, compact, and continuous. EDS results show that the coating contains 3.32 wt% phosphorus and 96.68 wt% nickel. It is indicated by XRD analysis that the film on birch veneer is crystalline. It is considered that the crystalline structure is related to the lower phosphorus content of the film. It was found that the birch veneer plated with crystalline Ni-P coating has better electrical conductivity and electromagnetic shielding performance.