Electroplating bronze
View Patent ↗Electrolytes for white bronzes are disclosed as well as methods of depositing the white bronzes. The electrolytes for depositing the white bronzes are cyanide free and provide a uniform white color.
1. A composition comprising one or more sources of tin ions, one or more sources of copper ions and one or more mercaptotetrazoles selected from the group consisting of 1-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-5-mercapto-1,2,3,4-tetrazole, 1-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-5-mercapto-1,2,3,4-tetrazole, 1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-mercaptotetrazole, 1-(3-ureidophenyl)-5-mercaptotetrazole, 1-((3-N-carboxymethyl)-ureidophenyl)-5-mercaptotetrazole, 1-((3-N-ethyl oxalamido)phenyl)-5-mercaptotetrazole, 1-(4-acetamidophenyl)-5-mercapto-tetrazole and 1-(4-carboxyphenyl)-5-mercaptotetrazole.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is free of cyanide.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the mercaptotetrazoles range from 0.001 g/L to 100 g/L.
4. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising one or more sources of a third metal.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the mercaptotetrazoles are selected from the group consisting of 1-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-5-mercapto-1,2,3,4-tetrazole and 1-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-5-mercapto-1,2,3,4-tetrazole.
6. A method comprising:
a) contacting a substrate with a composition comprising one or more sources of tin ions, one or more sources of copper ions and one or more mercaptotetrazoles selected from the group consisting of 1-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-5-mercapto-1,2,3,4-tetrazole, 1-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-5-mercapto-1,2,3,4-tetrazole, 1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-mercaototetrazole, 1-(3-ureidophenyl)-5-mercaptoterazole, 1-((3-N-carboxymethyl)-ureidophenyl)-5-mercaptotetrazole, 1-((3-N-ethyl oxalamido)phenyl)-5-mercaptotetrazole, 1-(4-acetamidophenyl)-5-mercapto-tetrazole and 1-(4-carboxyphenyl)-5-mercaptotetrazole; and
b) generating an electrical current through the composition to deposit an alloy comprising copper and tin on the substrate.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein current density ranges from 0.01 A/dm 2 to 20 A/dm 2 .
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the mercaraotetrazoles are in the range of 0.001 g/L to 100 g/L.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the substrate is a component of an electronic device or jewelry.