Coated articles, electrodeposition baths, and related systems

Abstract

Coated articles, electrodeposition baths, and related systems are described. The article may include a base material and a coating comprising silver formed thereon. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a silver-based alloy, such as a silver-tungsten alloy. The coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability (e.g., wear), hardness, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity, which may be beneficial, for example, in electrical and/or electronic applications. In some cases, the coating may be applied using an electrodeposition process.

1 . A bath, comprising:
 silver ionic species;   tungsten and/or molybdenum ionic species; and   sodium hydroxide, wherein the bath is suitable for electrodeposition processes.   
     
     
         2 . The bath as in  claim 1 , wherein the pH of the bath is less than about 8.0. 
     
     
         3 . The bath as in  claim 1 , wherein the pH of the bath is between about 6.5 and about 8.5. 
     
     
         4 . The bath as in  claim 1 , further comprising a complexing agent. 
     
     
         5 . The bath as in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one complexing agent permits codeposition of silver and tungsten. 
     
     
         6 . The bath as in  claim 4 , wherein the complexing agent is 5,5-dimethylhydratoin. 
     
     
         7 . The bath as in  claim 1 , wherein the bath is an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         8 . The bath as in  claim 1 , wherein the bath further comprises a wetting agent. 
     
     
         9 . The bath as in  claim 1 , wherein the bath further comprises a brightening agent. 
     
     
         10 . A bath, comprising:
 silver ionic species;   tungsten and/or molybdenum ionic species; and   a brightener selected from the group consisting of 2,2-bipyridine and 3-formyl-1-(3-sulphonatopropyl)pyridinium.   
     
     
         11 . The bath as in  claim 10 , wherein the bath is suitable for electrodeposition processes. 
     
     
         12 . The bath as in  claim 10 , wherein the brightener is 2,2,-bipyridine and is present in an amount between about 0.2 and 0.6 g/L. 
     
     
         13 . The bath as in  claim 10 , wherein the pH of the bath is between about 6.5 and about 8.5. 
     
     
         14 . The bath as in  claim 10 , further comprising a complexing agent. 
     
     
         15 . The bath as in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one complexing agent permits codeposition of silver and tungsten. 
     
     
         16 . The bath as in  claim 14 , wherein the complexing agent is 5,5-dimethylhydratoin. 
     
     
         17 . The bath as in  claim 10 , wherein the bath is an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         18 . The bath as in  claim 10 , wherein the bath further comprises a wetting agent. 
     
     
         19 . An electrodeposition system, comprising:
 an anode comprising silver;   a cathode;   a bath; and   a power supply, wherein the bath comprises tungsten and/or molybdenum ionic species and at least one complexing agent, wherein the bath is associated with the anode and the cathode, wherein the power supply is connected to at least one of the anode and the cathode, and wherein the surface area of the anode is at least five times the surface area of the cathode.   
     
     
         20 . The electrodeposition system as in  claim 19 , wherein the at least one complexing agent comprises 5,5-dimethylhydratoin. 
     
     
         21 . The electrodeposition system as in  claim 21 , wherein the bath has a pH from about 6.5 to about 9.0. 
     
     
         22 . The electrodeposition system as in  claim 21 , wherein the bath has a pH from about 6.5 to about 8.5. 
     
     
         23 . The electrodeposition system as in  claim 21 , wherein the bath is an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         24 . The electrodeposition system as in  claim 21 , further comprising a wetting agent. 
     
     
         25 . The electrodeposition system as in  claim 21 , wherein the power supply is capable of generating a waveform having a reverse pulse sequence. 
     
     
         26 . The electrodeposition system as in  claim 21 , wherein the bath further comprises a brightener. 
     
     
         27 . The electrodeposition system as in  claim 23 , wherein the aqueous bath comprises sodium hydroxide.