Tapping Mode Atomic Force Microscopy Analysis of a Novel Catalyzation Technique on Nonconducting Substrates

A novel catalyzation technique involving direct printing of catalyst patterns on a nonconducting polymer substrate followed by thermal activation is investigated. The effects of time and temperature of activation on the nature and distribution of catalyst particles on the substrate was studied quantitatively using tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM). The TMAFM results indicate that a minimum amount of energy (integral of time and temperature) of activation were to be maintained for the initiation of catalyst particle formation on the nonconducting substrate.