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Material Science and Technology of Japan, 53㸦2016㸧202㹼207Dec. 2016

Regular Paper
Formation of Conductive Layer on UV Modified PDMS (Poly-dimethylSiloxane) By Electroless Plating
Young-Jae KIM* 1, 2, 3, Yoshio HORIUCHI 1, 2, Jong-Young PARK2, 3, Joo-Hyong NOH2,Hideo HONMA2 and Osamu TAKAI1, 2
1

Department of Industrial Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kanto Gakuin University,
1-50-1 Mutsuura-higashi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-8501, Japan

2

Materials & Surface Engineering Research Institute, Kanto Gakuin University, 1-1-1 Fukuura,Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan

3

Daeduck Electronics Co. Ltd, 335, Somanggongwon-ro, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do 15106, Korea

Received Sep. 5, 2016; accepted for publication Nov. 10, 2016
Abstract
Silicone polymers have the elasticity of rubbers with high chemical and thermal resistance, and the application of
Silicone polymers bas been enthusiastically reviewed for MEMS and Nano technology as well as opticaltechnology. There are many studies focused on dry method of metal layer formation on Silicone polymer toincrease the level of its functionality. However, we have been exploring studies on wet method to deposit uniform
metal layer on polymers even with complicated structures. Formation of metal layer on organic polymeric materials
by wet method generally adds roughness to the targeted surface by chemical and physical etching then applies
catalyst for the electro-less plating.

However, this method is not practical since etching process degrades opticalcharacteristics and material properties of polymers. In this study, surface reformation by UV treatment, where theeffectiveness has been already verified on LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) and COP (Cyclo Olefin Polymer) [8, 9],
was applied to Silicone Polymer to develop etching-free wet method for the application.
Key Words : PDMS, UV Irradiation, Peel Strength, Organic polymeric material

1. Introductionof organic compounds in chain structures.

Organic Silicone polymer is a hybrid material composed of inorganic
Siloxane composition (Si-O-Si) and organic components such as methyl(MW : 5,000 ~ 10,000), and also an elastomer with a different structurecompared to the usual organic polymeric materials. Siloxane has bonding
energy (106 kcal/mol) that is much more stable than that of Carbon bond
(85 kcal/mol). Therefore, Silicone polymer has great thermal resistancecompared to organic synthetic rubbers due to the atomic bonding energy
difference. Siloxane bond with large distance between atoms and large
bond angle, has high rotational degree of freedom around the bonds. As
they have less cross linking compared to organic synthetic rubbers,

In addition, elasticity, mechanical strength, electrical properties,
magnetic properties, and viscoelastic properties of Siloxane bond can bemodified with different types of additives, which makes it a new materialwith many expectations in the field of MEMS (Micro Electro MechanicalSystems), Nano-devices, optical use and biomedical applications.
Especially the Silicone polymer with PDMS (Poly-dimethyl-Siloxane) as
its main component has outstanding optical properties and therefore is apromising material for the next generation of optical devices andapplications [1- 5].

Siloxane bond can have various types of structures and hold characteristics*Corresponding author: jnsc2000@daeduck.com

In order to upgrade Silicone polymer’s high functionality, there havebeen many active research studies on formation of metal layer on Silicone(202)