Novel methodology for coating non-conducting articles with broad-spectrum antimicrobial electroless plating layers
OwnerPrerna Goradiainventor
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Abstract
A method of coating an antimicrobial conductive metal layer on a non-conductive surface of articles with novel chemistry and methods with just a few process steps consisting of contacting the chemistries at room temperature for short durations is disclosed. The methodology is environmentally friendly, non-toxic aqueous bath of different salt compositions for providing uniform anti-microbial metal coating on the articles. The cost-effective methodology can be used on a wide variety of non-conductive surfaces such as glass, fibers, textiles, ceramic, plastic, foam and so on.
Claims20
A method for electroless metallization of non-conductive substrates, the method comprising:
- providing a non-conductive article;
- applying a reducing agent 1-5% wt and a pH maintaining buffer 0-1% wt in water to the article;
- water rinsing the article;
- activating the rinsed article by applying an aqueous activating bath to the article, wherein the bath includes a simple complex of transition metals 0.1-5% wt, a chelating agent 1-10% wt, and a pH maintaining agent in water, wherein the activating provides a thin film coating on the article;
- water rinsing the activated article;
- and
- drying the rinsed article.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.