▎ 摘　　要

NOVELTY - An apparatus for manufacturing surface-metalized polymer article comprises (a) graphene deposition chamber (12) that accommodates graphene dispersion (14) comprising multiple graphene sheets and optional conducive filler dispersed in 1st liquid medium and optional adhesive resin dissolved in 1st liquid medium, where graphene deposition chamber is operated to deposit graphene sheets and optional conductive filler to surface of polymer component for forming graphene-coated polymer component; and (b) metallization chamber (22), in a working relationship with graphene deposition chamber, which accommodates plating solution (24) for plating layer of desired metal on graphene-coated polymer component to obtain surface-metalized polymer article. Multiple graphene sheets contain single-layer or multi-layer graphene sheets selected from pristine graphene material having essentially 0 wt.% non-carbon elements, or non-pristine graphene material having 0.001-25 wt.% non-carbon elements. USE - An apparatus for manufacturing surface-metalized polymer article. ADVANTAGE - The metal-plated polymer article can be easily and readily produced using surprisingly simple and effective methods. Functionalized graphene sheets are surprisingly capable of bonding to numerous types of polymer component surfaces without using an adhesive resin. The high electrical conductivity and high specific surface areas of the deposited graphene sheets (capable of covering a wide surface area of polymer component) enable electro-plating of metal layer(s) on graphene-coated polymer component surfaces. Graphene sheets, deposited on polymer component surfaces, are also found to significantly enhance the strength, hardness, durability, and scratch resistance of the deposited metal layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An apparatus for manufacturing surface-metalized polymer article comprises (a) graphene deposition chamber (12) that accommodates graphene dispersion (14) comprising multiple graphene sheets and optional conducive filler dispersed in 1st liquid medium and optional adhesive resin dissolved in 1st liquid medium, where graphene deposition chamber is operated to deposit graphene sheets and optional conductive filler to surface of polymer component for forming graphene-coated polymer component; and (b) metallization chamber (22), in a working relationship with graphene deposition chamber, which accommodates plating solution for plating layer of desired metal on graphene-coated polymer component to obtain surface-metalized polymer article. Multiple graphene sheets contain single-layer or multi-layer graphene sheets selected from pristine graphene material having essentially 0 wt.% non-carbon elements, or non-pristine graphene material having 0.001-25 wt.% non-carbon elements. Non-pristine graphene is selected from graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, and/or chemically functionalized graphene. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic diagram of a system for graphene-mediated metallization of polymer articles. Faucet assembly (10) Graphene deposition chamber (12) Graphene dispersion (14) Metallization chamber (22) Plating solution (24)