Surface modification of PEN and PET substrates by plasma treatment and layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayer thin films and their application in electroless deposition

Abstract

The surfaces of the polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates were modified by plasma treatment and then layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayer thin films from two oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. Negatively or positively charged palladium complex ions bound to oppositely charged multilayer surfaces and were reduced to form palladium nanoparticles and then a nickel film was electrolessly deposited on the substrate surfaces. The multilayers on PEN and PET substrate surfaces are suitable for supporting palladium nanoparticle catalysts and their properties can be controlled by the conditions of LbL assembly.