Successive groups of sixth-form students from Abingdon have been researching novel ways to coat metals onto polymer surfaces, with a view to finding a new method of manufacturing printed circuit boards. They have used Tollens reagent to create silver mirrors (on reaction with aldehydes) and have modified their polymer surfaces to improve adhesion of the metal, taking inspiration from nature along the way. To analyse their results they have employed techniques such as infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Their project work may lead to exciting products in the future.
See ChemistryReviewOnline for an update to the research.
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