Electroless Ni-P plating deposited simultaneously on both surface sides of a flexible indium tin oxide coated polyethylene terephthalate substrate

Autor(es)

de Morais, Andreia ; Flacker, Alexander ; Hirata, Marcelo Kioshi ; Teixeira, Ricardo Cotrin ; de Freitas, Jilian Nei

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS; v. 35, n. 21, p. 11-pg., 2024-07-01.

Resumo

In this study, we propose a plating bath for electroless nickel-phosphorous (Ni-P) simultaneous deposition on both surfaces of a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate coated on one side with indium tin oxide (ITO). First a nucleation step is performed with tin(II) chloride and palladium(II) chloride. After this, a bath containing nickel ion source reducing agent, complexing and stabilization agents is used to deposit the Ni-P layer. The nucleation treatment used was the same for both ITO and PET surfaces, which results in a low-cost process compared to other methods. Several immersion times in the electroless bath were used to obtain the Ni-P layers onto PET and ITO surfaces. Structural, morphological and electrical properties of the samples were evaluated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, profilometry and four-point probe method. The Ni-P film deposition rate on the PET surface (112.2 nm/min) was higher than on the ITO surface (88.8 nm/min). The effect of the annealing temperature on the electrical and morphological properties of the Ni-P films were also investigated. After heat treatment (120 degrees C, 1 h), the Ni-P particles coalesced, resulting in more compact films, with reduced surface roughness, and with improved conductivity. Our approach enables an innovative dual function technological solution: the Ni-P/ITO side can be used as flexible current collectors in high-power output devices (e.g., emerging photovoltaic devices such as perovskite solar cells), whereas the PET side can be used for flexible current collectors in low-power output devices (e.g., sensors and capacitors). Both surfaces can be used concomitantly, combining the two kinds of application (e.g., integration of two types of electronic devices using a unique substrate). (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/11986-5 - Geração e Armazenamento de Novas Energias: trazendo desenvolvimento tecnológico para o país
• Beneficiário: Ana Flávia Nogueira
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa Centros de Pesquisa em Engenharia