Novel Pd-catalyzed electroless Au deposition method using a sulfite solution

Abstract

A novel method is reported for the electroless deposition of Au using nanoscale Pd catalysts in a sulfite solution. The method is simple, stable, and environmentally compatible. The Pd structures provided beneficial reactive properties. In the presence of a Pd layer, the reaction proceeded less through a displacement reaction pathway, and the size of the Au particles produced could be refined.