A method for producing open-pored molded bodies made of a metal. The surface of the metal open-pored molded body being used as a semi-finished product, is coated with particles of the same metal with which the semi-finished product is made or with particles of a chemical compound of the metal the semi-finished product is made, wherein the compound or particles can be reduced or thermally or chemically decomposed in a thermal treatment. After the coating process, a thermal treatment in a suitable atmosphere is carried out, in which the particles are connected to the surface of the semi-finished product and/or adjacent particles such that the specific surface area of the obtained open-pore molded body is increased to at least 30 m.sup.2/l and/or at least by a factor of 5 in comparison to the starting material.

A method for producing open-pored molded bodies made of a metal. The surface of the metal open-pored molded body being used as a semi-finished product, is coated with particles of the same metal with which the semi-finished product is made or with particles of a chemical compound of the metal the semi-finished product is made, wherein the compound or particles can be reduced or thermally or chemically decomposed in a thermal treatment. After the coating process, a thermal treatment in a suitable atmosphere is carried out, in which the particles are connected to the surface of the semi-finished product and/or adjacent particles such that the specific surface area of the obtained open-pore molded body is increased to at least 30 m.sup.2/l and/or at least by a factor of 5 in comparison to the starting material.

The present disclosure relates to an oxidation-resistant and/or corrosion-resistant hybrid structure including a metal layer (thin film layer) coated on the exterior of a conductive polymer structure, and a preparation method for the hybrid structure.

A film forming apparatus is connected to a carbon steel purification system piping of a BWR plant (S1). Formic acid (surface purification agent) is injected into a circulation piping of the film forming apparatus (S4). A surface purification agent aqueous solution containing 30000 ppm of formic acid is contacted with the inner surface of the purification system piping, and a large amount of Fe.sup.2+ is dissolved from the purification system piping, and a large amount of electrons are generated by this dissolution. Thereafter, a formic acid Ni aqueous solution is injected into the surface purification agent aqueous solution to produce a film forming aqueous solution (S5). The film forming aqueous solution storing the electrons is contacted with the inner surface of the purification system piping, and Ni ions incorporated into the inner surface are reduced by the electrons, and a Ni metal film is formed on the inner surface. Platinum ions and a reducing agent are injected into the circulation piping (S9, S10), and an aqueous solution containing the platinum ions and the reducing agent is supplied to the purification system piping to deposit platinum on the surface of the Ni metal film.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for coating the internal surface of nano-scale cavities on a substrate are contemplated. A first fluid of high wettability is applied to the nano-scale cavity, filling the cavity. A second fluid carrying a conductor or a catalyst is applied over the opening of the nano-scale cavity. The second fluid has a lower vapor pressure than the first fluid. The first fluid is converted to a gas, for example by heating the substrate. The gas exits the nano-scale cavity, creating a negative pressure or vacuum in the nano-scale cavity. The negative pressure draws the second fluid into the nano-scale cavity. The conductor is deposited on the interior surface of the nano-scale cavity, preferably less than 10 nm thick.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of thin silver nano-particles containing layers, which are produced directly on a substrate as part of a coating or printing process. The layers can show different colours in transmittance and reflectance. The invention further relates to decorative and security elements. When the layers are applied over a security element, such as a hologram, the obtained products may show different colours in reflection and transmission, an extremely bright optically variable image (OVD image). Depending on the thickness of the layer a more or less intensive metallic aspect appears.

Devices, systems, and methods are contemplated for depositing metals to the surface of a substrate. A first precursor ink including a metal is applied to a surface of the substrate, and the precursor ink is reduced to deposit the metal to the substrate, preferably by thermal reduction, forming a first metal layer. A second precursor ink having a second metal is then applied to the substrate, at least partially over the first metal layer. The second precursor ink is then reduced, typically by chemical reduction, depositing the second metal over the first metal layer in a globular fashion. Precursor inks are also disclosed having an alkyl metal carboxylate, a cyclic amine, and at least one of an ester, a hydrocarbon, or an ether.

A method for forming a conductive metal-polymer composite coated polymer includes providing a polymer substrate and immersing the polymer substrate in a metal solution. The method further includes decomposing the metal solution in a thermally controlled environment and reducing the metal solution to metal such that the metal is deposited on a surface of the polymer substrate. After reducing the metal solution, the method includes treating the surface with a polymer coating to form the metal-polymer composite coated polymer.

A method for forming a conductive metal-polymer composite coated polymer includes providing a polymer substrate and immersing the polymer substrate in a metal solution. The method further includes decomposing the metal solution in a thermally controlled environment and reducing the metal solution to metal such that the metal is deposited on a surface of the polymer substrate. After reducing the metal solution, the method includes treating the surface with a polymer coating to form the metal-polymer composite coated polymer.

A particle-free gold-complex based ink is described wherein a gold carboxylate is complexed with an amine. Upon heating the solution, the gold cation catalyzes the oxidative amidation of the amine with the carboxylate to form a short chain or polymeric amide while simultaneously reducing the gold cation to metallic gold. This method is extremely versatile and allows for both the preparation of pure metallic gold films as well as polymer gold composites with unique properties.