Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
anode
(
)
cathode (
)
Plating plastics
Nowadays it is not only metals that are
electroplated. Plastics have been developed that
are able to conduct electricity. For example, the
plastic poly(pyrrole) can be electroplated in the
same way as the metals we have discussed earlier
(Figure 5.21).
object to be plated,
e.g. spoon
anode made
from the metal
being used
for plating,
e.g. silver
electrolyte
containing the
metal being used
for plating,
e.g. silver
a
Silver plating a spoon.
e
A
g
e
A
g
e
A
g
Figure 5.21
This plastic has been coated with copper by electrolysis.
e
A
g
The Ag
ions are attracted to the
cathode, where they gain electrons
A
g
A
g
A
g
A
g
Figure 5.22
This leaf has been electroplated.
A coating of silver forms
on the spoon at the cathode
b
Explaining silver plating.
Figure 5.20
