Microstructure and Properties of Copper Plating on Citric Acid Modified Cotton Fabric

An environmental-friendly and low cost process for the fabrication of copper/cotton composite via electroless plating was developed in this paper. Firstly, the cotton fabric was treated with citric acid, which led to carboxylic groups grafting on the substrate. Secondly, copper ions were chemically adsorbed by the grafted cotton in solution. Thirdly, the adsorbed copper ions were in situ reduced to copper (Cu-0) by NaBH4, which severed as the activating centers on cotton. Finally, the copper/cotton composite was fabricated via the electroless plating process. The microstructure, mechanic and electromagnetic properties of the copper/cotton composite were detected. The copper layer was adhered strongly to the cotton substrate, which can pass Scotch tape test. The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness was measured to be >44 dB in the frequency range of 80-1000 MHz for the obtained composite. This palladium and corrosion free process has economic and environmental advantages, which can be used widely in industry.