ABS plastic metallization through UV covalent grafting and layer-by-layer deposition

In this paper, a versatile and efficient method was developed to modify and metallize plastics using covalent grafting and spray-assisted layer-by-layer deposition. Wettability and spectrum results proved the successful modification process. Uniform and pure Ag films were achieved by two kinds of reducing agents, while glyoxal showed the ability to form the better quality of Ag coatings. Effect of pH and spray passes on Ag films was studied in details. Moreover, interfacial adhesion between coatings and substrates was investigated and it has been approved that the optimized adhesion strength is much higher than results by the traditional process. Comparing with the existing etching methods, the presented approach is simple, inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Therefore, it is believed that such technique would have a promising future for expanding the methodology of plastic surface metallization in the industrial and scientific communities. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.