Patent US3874882A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3874882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Catalyst solution for electroless deposition of metal on substrate
Assignee: Shipley Co Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-14
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-11-14
Abstract
Abstract The invention described herein is a catalyst for activating a substrate for the initiation of electroless metal plating and to a process for making the same. The catalyst comprises the product resulting from the admixture of an acid soluble salt of a catalytic metal; the addition product believed to be formed from a solution soluble stannous salt, an acid and urea; and preferably, an extraneous source of halide ions. The catalyst of the invention differs from prior art catalysts in that it has greater stability, does not fume, is lower in cost to make and use and, in the preferred embodiment employing the extraneous source of halide ions, may be operated at lower acidity (high pH) than the prior art catalysts.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Gulla
- 👤 William A Conlan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:13
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C18/00; C23C18/16; C23C18/18; C23C18/20; C23C18/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 74
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A CATALYST COMPOSITION FOR CATALYZING A SUBSTRATE PRIOR TO ELECTROLESS METAL DEPOSITION THEREON, SAID CATALYST COMPOSITION COMPRISING THE PRODUCT RESULTING FROM THE ADMIXTURE OF AN ACID SOLUBLE SALT OF A CATALYTIC METAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SILVER, GOLD AND THE PLATINUM FAMILY METALS, A SOLUTION SOLUBLE STANNOUS SALT IN MOLAR EXCESS OF THE CATALYTIC METAL SALT, A HYDROHALIDE ACID SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE A PH LESS THAN 1 AND UREA IN AN AMOUNT SUCH THAT THE MOLAR RATIO OF THE UREA TO THE HYDROHALIDE ACID EXCEEDS 1 TO 10.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A CATALYST COMPOSITION FOR CATALYZING A SUBSTRATE PRIOR TO ELECTROLESS METAL DEPOSITION THEREON, SAID CATALYST COMPOSITION COMPRISING THE PRODUCT RESULTING FROM THE ADMIXTURE OF AN ACID SOLUBLE SALT OF A CATALYTIC METAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SILVER, GOLD AND THE PLATINUM FAMILY METALS, A SOLUTION SOLUBLE STANNOUS SALT IN MOLAR EXCESS OF THE CATALYTIC METAL SALT, A HYDROHALIDE ACID SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE A PH LESS THAN 1 AND UREA IN AN AMOUNT SUCH THAT THE MOLAR RATIO OF THE UREA TO THE HYDROHALIDE ACID EXCEEDS 1 TO 10.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composition of claim 1 where the catalytic metal salt is a member of the platinum family of metals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composition of claim 2 where the catalytic metal salt does not exceed 8 grams per liter of solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composition of claim 1 where the catalytic metal salt varies between 0.1 and 5 grams per liter of solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composition of claim 4 where the acid is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid and hydrobromic acid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 4 where the acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 6 where the catalytic metal salt is a palladium salt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 6 where the catalytic metal salt is palladium chloride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 8 also containing an alkali stannate salt.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composition of claim 1 where the molar ratio of the stannous salt to the catalytic metal salt varies between 2:1 and 100:1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 10 where the ratio varies between 10:1 and 40:1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composition of claim 1 where the molar ratio of urea to hydrohalide acid varies between 1:10 and 100:1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 12 where the ratio varies between 1:1 and 10:1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
A catalyst composition for catalyzing a substrate prior to electroless metal deposition thereon, said catalyst comprising the product of admixture of palladium chloride, stannous chloride in moLar excess of the palladium chloride, hydrochloric acid sufficient to provide a pH less than 1 and urea in an amount such that the molar ratio of urea to hydrochloric acid exceeds 1 to 10.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
A catalyst composition for catalyzing a substrate prior to electroless metal deposition thereon, said catalyst comprising the product of admixture of palladium chloride, stannous chloride in moLar excess of the palladium chloride, hydrochloric acid sufficient to provide a pH less than 1 and urea in an amount such that the molar ratio of urea to hydrochloric acid exceeds 1 to 10.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition of claim 14 where the palladium chloride does not exceed 8 grams per liter of solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composition of claim 14 where the palladium chloride varies between 0.1 and 5 grams per liter of solution.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 14 also containing an alkali stannate salt.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composition of claim 14 where the molar ratio of the stannous chloride to palladium chloride varies between 2:1 and 100:1.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 18 where the ratio varies between 10:1 and 40:1.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composition of claim 14 where the molar ratio of urea to hydrochloric acid varies between 1:10 and 100:1.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 20 where the molar ratio varies between 1:1 and 10:1.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
170 words
A catalyst composition for catalyzing a substrate prior to electroless metal deposition thereon, said composition comprising the product resulting from the admixture of (1) a salt of a catalytic metal selected from the group of gold, silver and the platinum family metal salts, (2) the addition product formed from a stannous salt in an amount such that the stannous ion concentration is in molar excess of the catalytic metal ion concentration, an acid in an amount sufficient to provide a pH less than about 3.5 and urea in an amount such that the molar ratio of urea to the acid exceeds 1 to 10, and (3) a halide salt in an amount such that the total halide ion concentration at a pH below the precipitation point of the catalyst is at least 0.2 moles per liter in excess of the concentration of halide ions provided by all other components and at a pH at or above the precipitation point is at least sufficient to prevent the formation of a precipitate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
170 words
A catalyst composition for catalyzing a substrate prior to electroless metal deposition thereon, said composition comprising the product resulting from the admixture of (1) a salt of a catalytic metal selected from the group of gold, silver and the platinum family metal salts, (2) the addition product formed from a stannous salt in an amount such that the stannous ion concentration is in molar excess of the catalytic metal ion concentration, an acid in an amount sufficient to provide a pH less than about 3.5 and urea in an amount such that the molar ratio of urea to the acid exceeds 1 to 10, and (3) a halide salt in an amount such that the total halide ion concentration at a pH below the precipitation point of the catalyst is at least 0.2 moles per liter in excess of the concentration of halide ions provided by all other components and at a pH at or above the precipitation point is at least sufficient to prevent the formation of a precipitate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The composition of claim 22 where the pH is below the precipitation point and the total halide ion concentration is from 0.2 moles in excess of the concentration of halide ions provided by all other catalyst components to saturation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composition of claim 23 where the total halide ion concentration is from 0.5 moles in excess of the concentration of halide ions from all other catalyst components to saturation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The formulation of claim 22 where the pH is at or above the precipitation point and the total halide ion concentration varies from at least 0.2 moles in excess of that required to prevent formation of a precipitate to saturation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composition of claim 25 where the total halide ion concentration varies from at least 0.5 moles in excess of that required to prevent formation of a precipitate to saturation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 22 where all halide ions are chloride ions.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 27 where the pH varies between about 0.9 and 3.5.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 27 where the pH varies between about 0.9 and 2.5.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The composition of claim 22 where the molar ratio of the stannous ion from the stannous salt to the catalytic metal ion from the salt of the catalytic metal varies between 2:1 and 100:
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 30 where the ratio varies between about 10:1 and 40:1.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The formulation of claim 22 where the catalytic metal salt is palladium chloride.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition of claim 22 where the molar ratio of urea to acid varies between 1:10 and 100:1.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 33 where the ratio varies between 1:1 and 10:1.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
206 words
A catalyst composition for catalyzing a substrate prior to electroless metal deposition thereon, said composition comprising the product of admixture of (1) a catalytic metal halide salt selected from the group of a gold halide, a silver halide and a platinum family metal halide, the concentration of saiD catalytic metal halide not exceeding 50 grams per liter of solution (2) the addition product formed from a stannous halide in an amount such that the stannous ion concentration is in molar excess of the catalytic metal ion concentration, the molar ratio of said stannous ion to said catalytic metal ion varying between 2:1 and 100:1, a hydrohalide acid in an amount sufficient to provide a formulation having pH less than about 3.5 and urea in an amount such that the molar ratio of urea to acid exceeds 1:10 and (3) a halide salt in an amount such that the total halide ion concentration at a pH below the precipitation point of the catalyst is at least 0.2 moles per liter in excess of the concentration of halide ions provided by all other catalyst components and at a pH at or above the precipitation point of the catalyst, is at least sufficient to prevent formation of a precipitate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
206 words
A catalyst composition for catalyzing a substrate prior to electroless metal deposition thereon, said composition comprising the product of admixture of (1) a catalytic metal halide salt selected from the group of a gold halide, a silver halide and a platinum family metal halide, the concentration of saiD catalytic metal halide not exceeding 50 grams per liter of solution (2) the addition product formed from a stannous halide in an amount such that the stannous ion concentration is in molar excess of the catalytic metal ion concentration, the molar ratio of said stannous ion to said catalytic metal ion varying between 2:1 and 100:1, a hydrohalide acid in an amount sufficient to provide a formulation having pH less than about 3.5 and urea in an amount such that the molar ratio of urea to acid exceeds 1:10 and (3) a halide salt in an amount such that the total halide ion concentration at a pH below the precipitation point of the catalyst is at least 0.2 moles per liter in excess of the concentration of halide ions provided by all other catalyst components and at a pH at or above the precipitation point of the catalyst, is at least sufficient to prevent formation of a precipitate.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 35 where all of the halide ions are chloride ions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
The composition of claim 36 where the pH is below the precipitation point and the total chloride ion concentration is from 0.2 moles in excess of the concentration of chloride ions provided by all other catalyst components to saturation.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The composition of claim 37 where the total chloride ion concentration is from 0.5 moles in excess of the concentration of chloride ions provided from all other catalyst components to saturation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
43 words
The composition of claim 36 where the pH is at or above the precipitation point of the catalyst and the total chloride ion concentration varies from at least 0.2 moles in excess of that required to prevent formation of a precipitate to saturation.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composition of claim 39 where the total chloride ion concentration varies from at least 0.5 moles in excess of that required to prevent formation of a precipitate to saturation.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 36 where the pH varies between about 0.9 and 3.5.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 36 where the pH varies between about 0.9 and 2.5.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composition of claim 36 where the molar ratio of the stannous ion to catalytic metal ions varies between about 10:1 and 40:1.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 43 where the catalytic metal salt is palladium chloride.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composition of claim 36 where the molar ratio of urea to hydrochloric acid varies between 1:10 and 100:1.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 45 where the ratio varies between 1:1 and 10:1.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
182 words
A catalyst composition for catalyzing a substrate prior to electroless metal deposition thereon, said composition comprising the product of admixture of (1) palladium chloride in an amount not exceeding 50 grams per liter of solution, (2) the addition product formed from stannous chloride in an amount such that the stannous ion is in molar excess of the palladium ion concentration, the molar ratio of said stannous ion to said palladium ion varying between 2:1 and 100:1, hydrochloric acid in an amount sufficient to provide a composition having a pH less than about 3.5 and urea in an amount such that the ratio of urea to acid exceeds 1:10 and (3) a chloride salt in an amount such that the total chloride ion concentration at a pH below the precipitation point of the catalyst is at least 0.2 moles per liter in excess of the concentration of the balance of the chloride ions provided by all other catalyst components and at a pH at or above the precipitation point of the catalyst, is at least sufficient to prevent the formation of a precipitate.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
182 words
A catalyst composition for catalyzing a substrate prior to electroless metal deposition thereon, said composition comprising the product of admixture of (1) palladium chloride in an amount not exceeding 50 grams per liter of solution, (2) the addition product formed from stannous chloride in an amount such that the stannous ion is in molar excess of the palladium ion concentration, the molar ratio of said stannous ion to said palladium ion varying between 2:1 and 100:1, hydrochloric acid in an amount sufficient to provide a composition having a pH less than about 3.5 and urea in an amount such that the ratio of urea to acid exceeds 1:10 and (3) a chloride salt in an amount such that the total chloride ion concentration at a pH below the precipitation point of the catalyst is at least 0.2 moles per liter in excess of the concentration of the balance of the chloride ions provided by all other catalyst components and at a pH at or above the precipitation point of the catalyst, is at least sufficient to prevent the formation of a precipitate.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
39 words
The composition of claim 47 where the pH is below the precipitation point and the total chloride ion concentration is from 0.2 moles in excess of the concentration of chloride ions provided by all other catalyst components to saturation.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composition of claim 48 where the total chloride ion concentration is from 0.5 Moles in excess of the concentration of chloride ions from all other catalyst components to saturation.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
40 words
The composition of claim 47 where the pH is at or above the precipitation point and the total chloride ion concentration varies from at least 0.2 moles in excess of that required to prevent formation of a precipitate to saturation.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composition of claim 50 where the total chloride ion concentration varies from at least 0.5 moles in excess of that required to prevent formation of a precipitate to saturation.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 47 where the pH varies between about 0.9 and 3.5.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 47 where the pH varies between about 0.9 and 2.5.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composition of claim 47 where the molar ratio of the stannous ions to the palladium ions varies between about 10:1 and 40:1.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composition of claim 47 where the chloride salt is selected from the group consisting of aluminum chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride and lithium chloride.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 55 where the chloride salt is sodium chloride.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
93 words
The process for stabilizing a catalyst for catalyzing a substrate prior to electroless metal deposition, said catalyst comprising the product of (1) catalytic metal ions, (2) stannous ions in an amount in molar excess of said catalytic metal ions, (3) halide ions and (4) hydrogen ions in an amount sufficient to provide a formulation having a pH less than about 3.5, said process comprising adding urea to said catalyst composition, the concentration of urea being such that the molar ratio of the urea to the hydrogen ions is at least 1 to 10.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
93 words
The process for stabilizing a catalyst for catalyzing a substrate prior to electroless metal deposition, said catalyst comprising the product of (1) catalytic metal ions, (2) stannous ions in an amount in molar excess of said catalytic metal ions, (3) halide ions and (4) hydrogen ions in an amount sufficient to provide a formulation having a pH less than about 3.5, said process comprising adding urea to said catalyst composition, the concentration of urea being such that the molar ratio of the urea to the hydrogen ions is at least 1 to 10.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 57 where the catalytic metal ions are palladium ions in a concentration not exceeding 8 grams per liter.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 58 where the stannous ions are derived from stannous chloride and the molar ratio of stannous ions to palladium ions varies between 2:1 and 100:1.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 59 where the ratio varies between 10:1 and 40:1.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 57 where the hydrogen ions are derived from hydrochloric acid.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 61 where the pH varies between about 0.9 and 3.5.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 61 where the pH varies between about 0.9 and 2.5.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 61 where the pH is below the precipitation point of the catalyst and the total chloride ion concentration is from 0.2 moles in excess of the concentration of chloride ions provided by all other catalyst components to saturation.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 64 where the total chloride ion concentration is from 0.5 moles in excess of the concentration of chloride ions provided by all other catalyst components to saturation.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 63 where the total chloride ion concentration is at least 0.2 moles in excess of that required to prevent the formation of a precipitate to saturation.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composition of claim 63 where the total chloride ion concentration is at least 0.5 moles in excess of that required to prevent formation of a precipitate to saturation.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 57 where the concentration of urea is such that the molar ratio of urea to acid varies between 1:1 and 10:1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |