Construct comprising metalized dicyclopentadiene polymer and method for producing same

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method of forming a thin metal layer on a dicyclopentadiene polymer surface and to constructs comprising the metalized layer.

1 . A method, comprising:
 providing a base construct having at least one surface that comprises a dicyclopentadiene polymer;   cleaning the dicyclopentadiene polymer surface with solvent but not otherwise activating the surface;   providing a first aqueous solution comprising a salt of a first metal and a complexing agent that forms a complex with the first metal; and   contacting the first aqueous solution at or near the dicyclopentadiene polymer surface with a second aqueous solution comprising a reducing agent whereby a layer of the first metal is deposited onto the dicyclopentadiene surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base construct is fabricated of a dicyclopentadiene polymer such that the at least one surface is a surface of the base construct itself. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base construct is fabricated of a material other than a dicyclopentadiene polymer such that the at least one surface comprises a layer of a dicyclopentadiene polymer disposed over a surface of the base construct. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein contacting the first aqueous solution with the second aqueous solution at or near the dicyclopentadiene polymer surface comprises simultaneously spraying the two aqueous solutions at the dicyclopentadiene polymer surface such that the sprays mix on or near the surface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a second metal layer is disposed over the first metal layer electrolytically or electrolessly. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein depositing the second metal electrolessly on the first metal comprises contacting, at or near the first metal layer surface, a third aqueous solution comprising a salt of the second metal and a complexing agent with a fourth aqueous solution comprising a reducing agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein contacting the third and fourth solutions comprises spraying the two aqueous solutions at the dicyclopentadiene polymer surface such that the sprays mix on or near the surface. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein electrolytically depositing the second metal onto the first metal comprises:
 contacting a negative terminal of a direct current power supply with the first metal layer;   providing an aqueous solution comprising a salt of the second metal, an electrode made of the second metal immersed in the aqueous solution or a combination thereof;   contacting a positive terminal of the direct current power supply with the aqueous solution;   contacting the first metal layer with the aqueous solution; and   turning on the power supply.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein contacting the first metal layer with the aqueous solution comprises spraying the aqueous solution onto the first metal layer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein contacting the first metal layer with the aqueous solution comprises dipping the first metal layer into the aqueous solution. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the negative and positive terminals of a direct current power supply comprise a battery or a rectifier. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, zinc, chromium, tin and copper. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel and zinc. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first metal is selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, nickel, tin, chromium, cadmium, zinc, cobalt and mixtures or alloys thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first metal is silver. 
     
     
         16 . A metalized construct made using the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . The metalized construct of  claim 16 , comprising a metalized polymeric liner for a pressure vessel. 
     
     
         18 . The construct of  claims 17 , wherein the metal layer on the polymeric liner is smooth textured or rough-textured. 
     
     
         19 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A pressure vessel comprising a construct according to  claim 16 . 
     
     
         23 . A pressure vessel according to  claim 22 , wherein the pressure vessel is suitable for containing CNG. 
     
     
         24 . A pressure vessel according to  claim 23 , having a length in excess of 6 m. 
     
     
         25 . A pressure vessel according to  claim 23 , having a diameter in excess of 1 m. 
     
     
         26 . A ship comprising one of more pressure vessels as defined in  claim 22 .