Patent ID: 7128820

Claim:
A process for electroplating a conductive metal layer onto a the surface of a non-conductive material comprising the steps of: a. contacting said non-conductive surface with a liquid carbon black dispersion comprising: (i) first carbon black particles having an oil absorotion number of at least about 150 cm 3 /100 g as a dibutyl phthalate (DBP) absorption number; (ii) second carbon black particles having an oil absorption number of less than about 150 cm 3 /100 g as a DBP absorption number; (iii) one or more dispersing agents; (iv) an alkali metal hydroxide; and (v) water; b. separating substantially all of the water from the first carbon black particles and the second carbon black particles, such that the first carbon black particles and the second carbon black particles are deposited on the non-conductive surface in a substantially continuous layer; and thereafter c. electroplating a conductive metal layer over the deposited carbon black layer and said non-conductive surface.