Skip to content

Preparing basic printing solutions for copper

This part explains how to prepare a basic printing solutions set from raw chemicals to achieve copper printing.

Equipment

  • 100 ml volumetric flask or graduate cylinder
  • micropipette
  • laboratory analytical scale

Note

The use of graduate beakers and Erlenmeyer flask for volumetric measurements should be avoided.

Chemicals

The following chemical products are required:

  • H2SO4 96% sulfuric acid

  • HCl 0.5 mM hydrochloric acid

  • CuSO4 · 5 H2O copper sulfate pentahydrate

  • H2O deionized water

Note

The purity of deionized water is usually sufficient, but ultrapure water of type 1 ASTM (D1193-91) with a resistivity of 18.2 MΩ·cm at 25 °C is suggested.

In case a 0.5 mM HCl solution is not on hand, it can be prepared by dilution of a 25% concentrated solution:

  • Add 65 µl (73 mg) 25% HCl to 1 lt of deionized water

Danger

When handling concentrated acid solution make sure to use suitable personal protective equipment. All chemicals must be used following the handling and storing procedures indicated in the MSDS provided by the supplier.

Waste solutions must be disposed according to local regulations.

Basic chamber solution [Cu] preparation

  • Add ~ 80 ml of 0.5 mM HCl solution in a 100 ml volumetric flask
  • Slowly add 300 µl (0.55 g) of 96% H2SO4 to the flask
  • Fill the flask up to the 100 ml mark with 0.5 mM HCl solution
  • Stir the solution for 5 minutes

This basic chamber solution [Cu] is a 54 mM solution of sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid (0.5 mM).