title: Polyelectrolyte brushes as efficient ultrathin platforms for site-selective copper electroless deposition.
abstract: Ion-exchange in surface-initiated polyelectrolyte brushes provides a versatile route to the formation of catalytically active surfaces for electroless deposition of Cu. The advantage of this procedure is the covalent anchoring of the catalyst support layer, eliminating delamination of the metal film, even when deposited onto PDMS substrates. Furthermore, by tuning the concentration of PdCl4(2-) ions in the brushes, the rate of deposition and hence the thickness of the overall film can be controlled easily.
authors.affiliation: Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Azzaroni
authors.forename: Zijian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Zhongqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wilhelm T S
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Huck