Patent ID: 6290832
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: C08G,C25D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of producing metallic or metallized complex porous structures, said method comprising the steps of:pre-metallizing with a conductive polymer a material selected from the group consisting of foams, felts and fabrics, wherein pre-metallizing comprises:(1) oxidizing a base structure of the material comprising pores with a solution containing permanganate/manganate salts and/or cerium IV compounds;(2) rinsing and drying;(3) depositing in a wet phase, on surfaces of the base structure, a monomer which in a polymerized form is electrically conductive;(4) polymerization by oxidation-doping of the monomer into an electrically conductive polymer; and(5) rinsing and draining;wherein said steps are carried out on the base structure, substantially throughout its entire thickness, without clogging the pores of the base structure; andelectroplating metal onto said selected, pre-metallized material.