New IGF project "GaGoKom" started
Since the end of last year, the Chair of Materials and Surface Engineering has been working together with Prof. Frank Köster's Surface Engineering/Galvanotechnology group at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences to replace cyanide in gold electroplating with alternative complexing agents. The project is supported by 16 industry-related specialist companies on the project committee.
Galvanic gold layers are widely used in electrical contacts in medium and small load ranges. However, most of the commercially available gold electrolytes required for this are based on cyanide formulations. The cyanide released during the coating process is highly toxic. Processes must therefore be elaborately designed so that there is no danger to the plant personnel or the environment.
The problem is now to be tackled with other electrolyte formulations. In a new basic gold electrolyte, dithiourea-gold(I) methanesulphonate is the starting component. Processing conditions and application properties of the gold layers are investigated on this electrolyte in comparison to the standard process. In addition, further new gold(I) complexes are synthesised, characterised and their application potential for electrodeposition determined.
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Source: Julius Nickisch/Fabian Menzel
2.3.2022 – Projects of the professorship ( thomas.grund@mb… )
