A method for reducing the initiation time in an electroless bath

摘要

A method for decreasing the initiation time of an electroless bath involves exposing a plurality of small metal oxide particles contained in a resin defining a surface. The surface is then treated with reducing solution which results in catalytic islands forming around the metal oxide particles and is then treated with a noble metal salt solution of a concentration less than 0.1 molar. This results in a fine layer of noble metal on top of the catalytic islands and protects the islands from oxidation. The surface is the placed in an electroless bath. It has been found that the initiation time in the electroless bath has been reduced from fifteen minutes to less than two minutes.