Product Description

Carbon tetrafluoride gas, also known as tetrafluoromethane or CF4, is a colorless and odorless gas composed of one carbon atom bonded to four fluorine atoms (CF4). It belongs to the family of fluorocarbon compounds. Here are some key points about carbon tetrafluoride gas:

1. Properties: Carbon tetrafluoride gas possesses several important properties:

   • Chemical Formula: CF4
   • Molecular Weight: 88.0043 g/mol
   • Density: Carbon tetrafluoride is denser than air, with a density of approximately 3.72 kg/m³.

2. Production: Carbon tetrafluoride can be produced through various methods, including the reaction of carbon monoxide (CO) with fluorine gas (F2) or by the reaction of carbon dioxide (CO2) with hydrogen fluoride (HF). It can also be obtained as a byproduct of certain industrial processes, such as the production of aluminum.

3. Uses: Carbon tetrafluoride gas has some notable applications:

   • Electrical Industry: CF4 is commonly used as an insulating gas in high-voltage electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers and transformers. It has excellent dielectric properties and can effectively extinguish electrical arcs.

   • Semiconductor Manufacturing: CF4 is used in the semiconductor industry as a plasma etching gas. It can selectively etch silicon dioxide (SiO2) and other materials during the fabrication of microelectronic devices.

   • Medical Applications: Carbon tetrafluoride has been investigated for its potential use as a contrast agent for medical imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, its use in this field is not as widespread as other contrast agents.

   • Calibration Gas: CF4 is sometimes used as a calibration gas in analytical instruments, such as gas chromatographs, due to its stable and well-defined properties.

4. Environmental Impact: Carbon tetrafluoride is classified as a potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential (GWP). It has a GWP of 7,390 over a 100-year time horizon, meaning it has a significantly higher warming effect compared to carbon dioxide (CO2). As a result, the release of CF4 into the atmosphere contributes to climate change.

   • Emissions Control: Efforts are made to minimize the release of CF4 during production processes and to capture and destroy CF4 emissions when they occur. Regulations and guidelines exist to control and reduce the emission of CF4 and other fluorinated greenhouse gases.

It is important to handle and use carbon tetrafluoride gas in accordance with safety guidelines and regulations. Proper precautions should be taken to ensure the safe storage, handling, and disposal of CF4, particularly due to its potential environmental impact.