Composites of carbon black and metal

Abstract

Nano-sized particles of carbon black and various metal ions are mixed to form substantially homogenous solutions or dispersions. The nano-sized particles of carbon black and metal ions are electroplated on various types of substrates as composites of one or more metals and substantially uniformly dispersed nano-sized particles of carbon black within the metals.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising one or more sources of metal ions and carbon black nano-particles. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon black nano-particles range in size from 5 nm to 500 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein metal ions are chosen from silver, gold, palladium, nickel, copper, tin and indium ions. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein a concentration of the carbon black nano-particles in the composition is at least 1 g/L. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more surfactants. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the surfactants are chosen from alcohol phosphate esters. 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 a) providing a composition comprising one or more sources of metal ions and carbon black nano-particles;   b) contacting a substrate with the composition; and   c) electroplating a composite of one or more metals and carbon black nano-particles onto the substrate.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the carbon black nano-particles range in size from 5 nm to 500 nm. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein metal ions are chosen from silver, gold, palladium, nickel, copper, tin and indium ions. 
     
     
         10 . An article comprising a composite comprising one or more metals and carbon black nano-particles dispersed within the one or more metals. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 10 , wherein a thickness of the composite is at least 0.1 μm.