▎ 摘　　要

NOVELTY - A surface-metalized polymer film is produced by (A) feeding continuous polymer film from polymer film feeder into graphene deposition chamber which accommodates graphene dispersion comprising multiple graphene sheets and optional conducive filler dispersed in 1st liquid medium and optional adhesive resin dissolved in 1st liquid medium; (B) operating graphene deposition chamber to deposit graphene sheets and optional conductive filler to primary surface of polymer film for forming graphene-coated polymer film; (C) moving graphene-coated film into metallization chamber which accommodates plating solution for plating layer of a desired metal on graphene-coated polymer film to obtain surface-metalized polymer film; and (D) operating winding roller to collect surface-metalized polymer film. USE - Production of surface-metalized polymer film for use in design elements for automobiles, bikes and motorcycles, electrical appliances, electronic devices, kitchens, and bathrooms, including but not limited to, radiator grills, mirror caps, door handles, and trim; push buttons and covers for high fidelity (hi-fi) equipment, cell phones and coffee machines, LED lamp housing, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding coating layer for electronic equipment, metallized housings for telecommunications devices (e.g. smart phones, smart watches, wearable devices), laptop computers, tablet computers, telescope parts, and susceptor for cooking in microwave ovens (e.g. a microwave popcorn bag); and diffusion barrier coatings in the food packaging (e.g. candy wrapper), antistatic bag, protective clothing (high-energy radiation shield, heat shield from fuel fires, radiation heat reflector, etc.), aluminized blanket to keep patients warm, children's toys, product labels, mailers, sports cards, greeting cards, solar control window films, stamping foils, etc. ADVANTAGE - With such a high-quality metallic coating mediated by graphene sheets, the polymer films can take on a luxurious chrome look and exhibit superior abrasion resistance, barrier properties (e.g. against permeation of water vapor, oxygen, etc.), heat radiation reflective properties, corrosion resistance, strength, and hardness. Even without using chromic acid or chromosulfuric acid, strong adhesion between the deposited metal layers and the lightly etched polymer surfaces can be achieved via functionalized graphene sheet mediation. These well-bonded metal layers show a high temperature cycling resistance and survive all the customary temperature cycling shocks. A wide variety of chemical functional groups can be attached to the edges or surfaces of mediating graphene sheets and optional conductive filler (e.g., carbon nanotubes, metal nanowires, etc.) that enable rapid metallization of polymer films. The graphene sheets that exhibit a negative Zeta potential value in an intended liquid medium are particularly effective in promoting metallization of polymer films. The method can be conducted under very mild conditions requiring only a short period of time. Optimal results are also achievable without the repetition of the process steps commonly required of prior art processes. High-quality metal layers can be deposited on polymer film surfaces without heavy capital investment and large material consumption. Furthermore, the method can be controlled in a functionally secure and simple manner which ultimately affects the quality of the metal layers. A wide variety of polymer films, including not just plastics but also rubbers and composite materials, can be effectively metallized. Since etching of the plastic surface at high temperatures is not necessary, energy savings can be achieved. Since only mild etching conditions are required where necessary in rare cases (e.g. highly smooth ultrahigh molecular weight PE surfaces), a broader array of benign etching solutions can be used, obviating the need to use environmentally restricted chemicals. The method can involve only two steps: contacting polymer film surface with a graphene dispersion (e.g. a dipping step) and contacting the graphene/conductive filler-bonded polymer component surface with a chemical plating or electrochemical plating solution (e.g., another fast dipping step), in contrast to prior art process which requires multiple steps: pretreatment, chemical etching, activation, chemical metallization, and electrolytic deposition of multiple metal layers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A surface-metalized polymer film is produced by (A) feeding continuous polymer film from polymer film feeder into graphene deposition chamber which accommodates graphene dispersion comprising multiple graphene sheets and optional conducive filler dispersed in 1st liquid medium and optional adhesive resin dissolved in 1st liquid medium; (B) operating graphene deposition chamber to deposit graphene sheets and optional conductive filler to primary surface of polymer film for forming graphene-coated polymer film; (C) moving graphene-coated film into metallization chamber which accommodates plating solution for plating layer of a desired metal on graphene-coated polymer film to obtain surface-metalized polymer film; and (D) operating winding roller to collect surface-metalized polymer film. 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 of a graphene-mediated metallized polymer film.