Patent ID: 7214304

Claim:
A process for plating objects comprised of metallic areas and non-conductive areas, said process comprising the steps of: a. contacting the objects comprised of metallic areas and non-conductive areas to be plated with, in order: 1) alkaline desmear solution comprising permanganate ions; 2) a neutralizer/sacrificial coating solution comprising (i) acid, (ii) hydrogen peroxide, and (iii) corrosion inhibitor selected from the group consisting of alkyl imidazoles, alkyltriazoles, aromatic imidazoles, aromatic triazoles and combinations of the foregoing compounds, wherein the neutralizer/sacrificial coating solution neutralizes the non-conductive areas to be plated and applies a sacrificial coating to the metallic areas; 3) conditioner solution comprising a material selected from the group consisting of surfactants and water soluble polymers; 4) aqueous dispersion of carbon particles consisting essentially of (i) a surfactant or a water soluble polymer, (ii) carbon particles, and (iii) a liquid dispersing medium; b. drying the objects comprised of metallic areas and non-conductive areas; c. contacting the objects comprised of metallic areas and non-conductive areas with a microetchant solution; and thereafter d. contacting the objects comprised of metallic areas and non-conductive areas with a copper electroplating solution with an electrical potential applied.