Novel method of electrodeposition

Abstract

A novel method of preparing and using an improved electrolyte bath for the purpose of electrodeposition of metallic film onto a substrate is disclosed. The electrolyte bath makes use of unexpected findings in the process of electrodeposition with the claimed compounds and elements to perform the process with less expensive and more environmentally-friendly materials to produce a consistent, high-quality deposition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for electroplating a depositant onto a substrate via electrochemical deposition, the method comprising the following steps:
 Preparing an apparatus for the method, said apparatus comprising a bath chamber, at least two rollers, a rinsing chamber, and a drying chamber;
 In which the at least two rollers comprise a first roller and a second rolling, each further comprising working electrodes; 
 In which the bath chamber further comprises an electrolyte basin, an electrical anode, and a feeding connection to the first roller; 
 In which the rinsing chamber comprises a feeding connection to the bath chamber, at least one rinsing sprayer, and a drain; 
 In which the drying chamber comprises a feeding connection to the rinsing chamber and at least one blower; 
 In which the container is configured to contain the electrolyte bath and to pass the substrate from one of the at least two rollers to a second of the at least two rollers while submerging the substrate in the electrolyte bath; 
   Preparing an electrolyte bath, said electrolyte bath comprising a solution in a liquid polar solvent in which is dissolved a quantity of L-ascorbic acid, a quantity of saccharin, a quantity of SDS, a quantity of boric acid and at least one depositant, said depositant being bonded to an ion salt;   Preparing materials for the method, said materials comprising an electrically conductive substrate, by attaching the substrate to the first roller, passing the substrate through the bath chamber, rinsing chamber, and drying chamber to the second roller;   Filing the electrolyte basin with the electrolyte bath such that the substrate and the electrical anode are at least partially submerged;   Causing the rollers to rotate so as to pass the substrate through the electrolyte bath at a certain speed;   Directing an electrical current between the working electrodes and the electrical anode, such that the reaction of the electrolyte bath, the substrate, the electrical current, and the depositant causes an electroconductive film to be deposited on the substrate;   Spraying the substrate with a quantity of water as the substrate passes through the rinsing chamber; and   Drying the substrate as it passes through the drying chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the liquid polar solvent is water. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the boric is dissolved in a density of between 1 and 25 g/L. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the L-ascorbic acid is dissolved in a density of up to 1 g/L. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the SDS is dissolved in a density of up to 2 g/L. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the saccharin is dissolved in a density of up to 1 g/L. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the step of passing electrical current between the working electrodes and the electrical anode comprises the step of limiting the electrical current to a current density of between 2 and 3 mA per square inch of the substrate. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the apparatus further comprises a recirculatory, said recirculatory further comprising a reserve tank and a recirculating connection connected to the electrolyte basin;
 In which the additional step of controlling the depth and composition of the electrolyte basin by circulating the electrolyte bath between the reserve tank and the electrolyte basin is performed during, the step of passing the substrate through the apparatus.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the blower is configured to blow an inert gas to dry the substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the at least one depositant comprises nickel sulfate at a density of between 40 and 60 g/L and iron sulfate at a density of between 2 and 3 g/L, and in which the method results in an electroconductive film which is permalloy. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , in which the iron sulfate is doped with at least one element from the cobalt group. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the method is employed to create high-hesitivity antennas. 
     
     
         13 . An electrolyte bath for use in electrodeposition of one or more depositants onto a substrate, said electrolyte bath comprising:
 A liquid polar solvent in which is dissolved L-ascorbic acid, boric acid, saccharin, and SDS;   In which the one or more depositants are further dissolved;   Such that the one or more depositants will tend to adhere to the substrate as an electroconductive film when an electrical current is passed between one or more working electrodes and an electrical anode when the substrate and electrical anode are submerged within the electrolyte bath.   
     
     
         14 . The electrolyte bath of  claim 13 , in which the liquid polar solvent is water 
     
     
         15 . The electrolyte bath of  claim 13 , in which the boric is dissolved in a density of between 1 and 25 g/L. 
     
     
         16 . The electrolyte bath of  claim 13 , in which the L-ascorbic acid is dissolved in a density of up to 1 g/L. 
     
     
         17 . The electrolyte bath of  claim 13 , in which the SDS is dissolved in a density of up to 2 g/L. 
     
     
         18 . The electrolyte bath of  claim 13 , in which the saccharin is dissolved in a density of up to 1 g/L. 
     
     
         19 . The electrolyte bath of  claim 13 , in which the electrical current has a current density of between 2 and 3 mA per square inch of the substrate 
     
     
         20 . The electrolyte bath of  claim 13 , in which the at least one depositant comprises two depositants, namely nickel sulfate at a density of between 40 and 60 g/L and iron sulfate at a density of between 2 and 3 g/L, such that the electroconductive film is permalloy.