THE EFFECT OF POTASSIUM FERROCYANIDE IN ELECTROLESS COPPER BATH STABILITY

Abstract

ABSRACT This research work investigated the effect of potassium ferrocyanide as additive in electroless copper bath. An experimental work was conducted where two electroless copper baths were set up one containing the potassium ferrocyanide, formaldehyde, copper sulphate and other additives at room temperature while in the other bath potassium ferrocyanide was removed. An insulator of polymer material was used and the copper material were successfully coated on surface of the polymer material. The result analysis using SEM and EDS showed that, the deposition of copper materials on the polymer surface was uniform and smooth due to the presence of potassium ferrocyanide which acted as stabilizer in copper electroless bath while in the other set of bath in which the potassium ferrocyanide was removed, the electroless copper plating on the polymer material surfaces were rough, broad and irregular. Generally, potassium ferrocyanide reduces the rate of deposition of copper but at the same time stabilizes the process and made the coating uniform, regular and smooth on the surface of the material. Finally,It recommended that, Potassium ferrocyanide cyanide (K4Fe(CN)6complex) should be used in copper plating bath to prevent irregular, rough coating, and it should replace potassium cyanide (KCN) to prevent hazard as potassium cyanide(KCN) alone is poisonous.There should be a collaboration between higher institutions of learning and industries in research projects and SIWESS. However further research should be conducted on other complex compounds of cyanide to investigate their effect in electroless copper bath.

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