Performance characteristics of hydrothermal and sonication assisted electroless plating baths for nickel-ceramic composite membrane fabrication

► Selective conversion for hydrothermal case is twice that of the base case and agitation. ► Hydrothermal condition resulted in higher PPD and lower film thickness than the sonication. ► Electroless nickel plating baths showed the best performance characteristics under hydrothermal conditions. ► Hydrogen gas generating from the hypophosphite baths creates pinholes in the metal film.