Fabrication of highly reflective and conductive double-surface-silvered layers embedded on polymeric films through...

An easy technique is developed to fabricate highly conductive and reflective double-surface-silvered polyimide films at room temperature by the incorporation of silver ions in surface-modified polyimide, and subsequently by the in situ reduction of silver ions in alkaline containing aqueous glucose solution. Surface properties of the silvered composite films were investigated as a function of treatment time and reducing environment, respectively. Sheet reflectivity and conductivity can be controlled by adjusting the potassium hydroxide (KOH) etching and reducing conditions. The excellent silver-polymer adhesive property is based on a "tree roots" like micro/nanostructure of the silver layers. The essential mechanical properties of the silvered films were maintained as their inside matrix is intact during the whole procedure. Different properties between one film's double-side surfaces were investigated during the fabricating process. Films were characterized by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle (CA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), four point probe instrument, and ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer.