Electroless Plating on Polymer Surfaces: Comprehensive Review of Mechanism, Process, Analysis, and Future Applications

Abstract Electroless plating is a solution‐based metal deposition technique through redox reaction, without external power. Due to its simple, versatile, and low‐cost process, coupled with high compatibility with various metals, electroless plating has become a key technology in many industrial fiel...

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Main Authors: Na Kyoung Kim, Seung Min Kang, Taegyun Kim, Suhyeon Kim, Geon Hwee Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley-VCH 2025-06-01
Series:Advanced Materials Interfaces
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400931
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author Na Kyoung Kim
Seung Min Kang
Taegyun Kim
Suhyeon Kim
Geon Hwee Kim
author_facet Na Kyoung Kim
Seung Min Kang
Taegyun Kim
Suhyeon Kim
Geon Hwee Kim
author_sort Na Kyoung Kim
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Electroless plating is a solution‐based metal deposition technique through redox reaction, without external power. Due to its simple, versatile, and low‐cost process, coupled with high compatibility with various metals, electroless plating has become a key technology in many industrial fields such as electronics, automotive, aerospace, and biomedical engineering. Recent advances in electroless plating have enabled sophisticated plating on polymers and three‐dimensional surfaces, making it a prominent technology in emerging fields such as selective laser sintering, additive manufacturing, and wearable technology. This review provides a comprehensive overview of electroless plating, from its core theory to the latest research trends. Initially, the detailed mechanism of electroless plating is described, followed by an examination of the plating process. Then, the compositions of a typical electroless plating bath are introduced, and the critical operating parameters are categorized. Next, the evaluation factors of electroless plated surfaces are discussed, along with the current limitations of electroless plating technology. Finally, the various applications of electroless plating studied to date are presented, and future directions for this technology are suggested.
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spelling doaj-art-e2570fdfef424b578a1f263cc1a99cb12025-08-20T02:08:36ZengWiley-VCHAdvanced Materials Interfaces2196-73502025-06-011211n/an/a10.1002/admi.202400931Electroless Plating on Polymer Surfaces: Comprehensive Review of Mechanism, Process, Analysis, and Future ApplicationsNa Kyoung Kim0Seung Min Kang1Taegyun Kim2Suhyeon Kim3Geon Hwee Kim4Department of Mechanical EngineeringChungbuk National University (CBNU)1, Chungdae‐ro, Seowon‐gu, Cheongju‐siChungcheongbuk‐do28644Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringChungbuk National University (CBNU)1, Chungdae‐ro, Seowon‐gu, Cheongju‐siChungcheongbuk‐do28644Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringChungbuk National University (CBNU)1, Chungdae‐ro, Seowon‐gu, Cheongju‐siChungcheongbuk‐do28644Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringPohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)77, Cheongam‐Ro, Nam‐GuPohang‐si37673Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringChungbuk National University (CBNU)1, Chungdae‐ro, Seowon‐gu, Cheongju‐siChungcheongbuk‐do28644Republic of KoreaAbstract Electroless plating is a solution‐based metal deposition technique through redox reaction, without external power. Due to its simple, versatile, and low‐cost process, coupled with high compatibility with various metals, electroless plating has become a key technology in many industrial fields such as electronics, automotive, aerospace, and biomedical engineering. Recent advances in electroless plating have enabled sophisticated plating on polymers and three‐dimensional surfaces, making it a prominent technology in emerging fields such as selective laser sintering, additive manufacturing, and wearable technology. This review provides a comprehensive overview of electroless plating, from its core theory to the latest research trends. Initially, the detailed mechanism of electroless plating is described, followed by an examination of the plating process. Then, the compositions of a typical electroless plating bath are introduced, and the critical operating parameters are categorized. Next, the evaluation factors of electroless plated surfaces are discussed, along with the current limitations of electroless plating technology. Finally, the various applications of electroless plating studied to date are presented, and future directions for this technology are suggested.https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400931autocatalytic reactionelectroless platingmetal deposition technologypolymer
spellingShingle Na Kyoung Kim
Seung Min Kang
Taegyun Kim
Suhyeon Kim
Geon Hwee Kim
Electroless Plating on Polymer Surfaces: Comprehensive Review of Mechanism, Process, Analysis, and Future Applications
Advanced Materials Interfaces
autocatalytic reaction
electroless plating
metal deposition technology
polymer
title Electroless Plating on Polymer Surfaces: Comprehensive Review of Mechanism, Process, Analysis, and Future Applications
title_full Electroless Plating on Polymer Surfaces: Comprehensive Review of Mechanism, Process, Analysis, and Future Applications
title_fullStr Electroless Plating on Polymer Surfaces: Comprehensive Review of Mechanism, Process, Analysis, and Future Applications
title_full_unstemmed Electroless Plating on Polymer Surfaces: Comprehensive Review of Mechanism, Process, Analysis, and Future Applications
title_short Electroless Plating on Polymer Surfaces: Comprehensive Review of Mechanism, Process, Analysis, and Future Applications
title_sort electroless plating on polymer surfaces comprehensive review of mechanism process analysis and future applications
topic autocatalytic reaction
electroless plating
metal deposition technology
polymer
url https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400931
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AT seungminkang electrolessplatingonpolymersurfacescomprehensivereviewofmechanismprocessanalysisandfutureapplications
AT taegyunkim electrolessplatingonpolymersurfacescomprehensivereviewofmechanismprocessanalysisandfutureapplications
AT suhyeonkim electrolessplatingonpolymersurfacescomprehensivereviewofmechanismprocessanalysisandfutureapplications
AT geonhweekim electrolessplatingonpolymersurfacescomprehensivereviewofmechanismprocessanalysisandfutureapplications