Abstract: A method of depositing a metal on a dielectric surface is disclosed. The method comprises treating the surface with a stable hydrosol obtained by mixing and heating together in an acidic aqueous medium (1) a salt of a noble metal with (2) an organic compound containing at least two oxygen atoms selected from (a) an organic carbonate having a structural formula of ##STR1## where R = H, an alkyl radical, (b) ethylene glycol and (c) 1,3 dioxane. The treated surface is then exposed to a suitable electroless metal deposition solution to catalytically deposit an electroless metal deposit thereon.

Abstract: A method for depositing a metal on a surface is disclosed. The method comprises coating the surface with a sensitizing solution comprising at least a reducible salt of a non-noble metal to form a coated surface. The coated surface is exposed to a source of light radiation to form a catalytic layer capable of directly catalyzing the deposition of a metal thereon from an electroless metal deposition solution. The catalytic layer is treated with a fixing solution comprising an autocatalytic reducing agent for the non-noble metal ions of said reducible salt to at least stabilize the catalytic layer.

Abstract: A method of depositing a metal on a surface of a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises forming a dielectric coat containing an activating metal species on the surface of the substrate. The coat is then treated with a reviving agent selected from chromic acid and ceric ammonium nitrate to revive the activating metal species to render the coat capable of participating in an electroless metal deposition.

Abstract: A method of depositing a metal on a dielectric surface is disclosed. The method comprises treating the surface with a stable hydrosol obtained by mixing and heating together in an acidic aqueous medium (1) a salt of a noble metal with (2) an organic compound containing at least two oxygen atoms selected from (a) an organic carbonate having a structural formula of ##STR1## where R = H, an alkyl radical, (b) ethylene glycol and (c) 1,3 dioxane. The treated surface is then exposed to a suitable electroless metal deposition solution to catalytically deposit an electroless metal deposit thereon.