Designing effective plating baths for use in the pulse-reverse plating of copper nanocomposite coatings

ABSTRACT The development of the process to produce Metal Matrix Nanocomposite (MMNC) coatings can provide opportunity for the enhancement of mechanical and electrical properties. This research uses speciation-simulating software to screen formulations for producing nanocomposites by pulse-reverse plating (PRP). PRP is used as a controlled delivery mechanism to attract a high concentration of nanoparticles to the coating during the anodic pulse which are subsequently captured in the cathodic pulse. A disadvantage is that the anodic pulse generates passivating hydroxide layers leading to poor adhesion. Speciation plots assess the stabilising effect of chosen complexants (gluconate and glycine) within electrolytes with the aim of diminishing hydroxide formation. To confirm bath formulation effectiveness before nanoparticle incorporation, UV-Vis spectroscopy and electrodeposition were used. Gluconate and glycine both theoretically produce highly stable complexes and also produce uniform copper deposits supporting the stabilisation effect observed in theoretical studies. This work therefore supports the use of these complexants for future stages of this research.