Photooxidation of the ABS resin surface for electroless metal plating

Abstract

In this study, we applied a clean, effective and low-cost modification method using light-activated chlorine dioxide radical (ClO2•) to oxidize the surface of ABS resin. An increase in the amount of surface polar groups resulting from the incorporation of oxygen-containing groups into polybutadiene (PB) and improvement in the surface hydrophilicity of ABS resin were observed after oxidation. The oxidized ABS resin exhibited good adhesion to the metal layer after electroless metal plating. This method could be applied as an effective approach for electroless plating. The investigation of the effects of oxidation time and temperature on surface modification and electroless plating shows that the mild conditions of oxidation for 10 min at room temperature is optimal. In addition, as light irradiation was not required for the modification of plastics via this process, this modification method was successfully used for ABS resin with complex shapes, which broadened its practical applicability.