Thin films containing metallic copper and silver by replacement without subsequent accelerated oxidation

摘要

Novel copper-silver metallic films are prepared on transparent articles by chemical replacement of silver for copper according to the method of the present invention. A transparent article is coated with a metallic copper film by a conventional method of deposition. The copper coated article is then contacted by a solution comprising a silver salt, ammonia and a complexing agent which promotes replacement but which does not accelerate the oxidation of residual metallic copper in the film. Replacement of copper by silver occurs with the film retaining its reflective metallic character.