Issue 63, 2016

Comparative study on the characteristics, operational life and reactivity of Fe/Cu bimetallic particles prepared by electroless and displacement plating process

Abstract

In this study, an electroless (electrode-less) copper plating technology was developed to prepare the high-reactive and robust iron–copper (Fe/Cu) bimetallic particles. First, effect of pretreatment and key preparation parameters (e.g., complexant, H3BO3, NiSO4·7H2O, pH and plating time) on the reactivity of Fe/Cu bimetallic particles were investigated, respectively. Their reactivity was evaluated according to the obtained Kobs for PNP removal. Also, the characteristics of Fe/Cu bimetallic particles prepared by electroless plating and displacement plating were comparatively observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The analysis results show that when Fe/Cu bimetallic particles were prepared by electroless plating, copper was uniformly deposited on the surface of Fe0 substrate, and only a few bulky particles were observed. However, plenty of loose copper blocks were heterogeneously distributed on the surface of Fe0 substrates when the Fe/Cu bimetallic particles were prepared by the conventional displacement plating. Furthermore, the operational life and reactivity of Fe/Cu bimetallic particles prepared by electroless and displacement plating process were comparatively investigated by the recycling experiment. The results suggest that the new Fe/Cu bimetallic particles have a longer operational life than that of the conventional Fe/Cu bimetallic particles. Meanwhile, it can be seen from the control experiments that the new Fe/Cu bimetallic particles have a stronger reactivity for the PNP removal both in Fe/Cu/air and Fe/Cu/N2 processes. As results, the new electroless plating for the preparation of Fe/Cu bimetallic particles is superior to the conventional displacement plating. In other words, the electroless copper plating is a promising technology to prepare the high-reactive and robust Fe/Cu bimetallic particles.

Graphical abstract: Comparative study on the characteristics, operational life and reactivity of Fe/Cu bimetallic particles prepared by electroless and displacement plating process

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 May 2016
Accepted
13 Jun 2016
First published
13 Jun 2016

RSC Adv., 2016,6, 58302-58314

Comparative study on the characteristics, operational life and reactivity of Fe/Cu bimetallic particles prepared by electroless and displacement plating process

Y. Ren and B. Lai, RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 58302 DOI: 10.1039/C6RA11255B

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