@article{
author = "Rafailović, Lidija and Trišović, Tomislav and Stupavská, Monika and Souček, Pavel and Velicsanyi, Peter and Nixon, Sonja and Elbataioui, Adam and Zak, Stanislav and Cordill, Megan J. and Hohenwarter, Anton and Kleber, Christoph and Ráheľ, Jozef",
year = "2024",
abstract = "We demonstrate a sustainable post-processing of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy polymer (CFRP) composites by air plasma etching that permits regular electroconductive surface patterning through direct Cu galvanic metallization, in contrast to the untreated composite. Our study reveals a significant property dependence of the composite with respect to the position to the fiber/matrix composite surface and treatment. The enhancement in electrical conductivity was not compromised by the lower structural integrity of the composite, as the embedded carbon fibers remained unaffected by the air plasma etching process. The metallized Cu domains on the composite exhibit good hardness and excellent solderability potential. Thus, the electroconductive surface patterning of the composite, preceding galvanic metallization, facilitates the selective deposition of Cu layer domains. This step by step process, relying on the creation of selective electroconductive areas on the composite by plasma etching, enables galvanic metallization. Consequently, it enhances the potential for multifunctional composite applications. The feasibility of galvanic metallization brings new perspectives in selective metallization of composites by allowing the tailoring of the metal layer thickness, microstructure and selection of the metal.",
journal = "Journal of Alloys and Compounds",
title = "Selective Cu electroplating enabled by surface patterning and enhanced conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced polymers upon air plasma etching",
pages = "174569",
volume = "992",
doi = "10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.174569",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_dais_16651"
}