fluorocarbons
Synthetic cooling agents
Fluorocarbons are chemical compounds in which fluorine atoms replace some or all hydrogen atoms in hydrocarbons.
They include refrigerants, propellants, and industrial solvents.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were widely used until scientists discovered they deplete the ozone layer; international agreements have since phased out most production.
Fluorocarbons are extremely stable, which makes them useful but also persistent environmental pollutants.
Emissions that trap heat
- ozone depletionProtective atmospheric layer destruction
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
- forever chemicalsIndestructible industrial compounds
nondegradable · pollutants · environmental hazard · Kyoto Protocol · stratospheric · tropospheric
Nonstick pan coating
- PTFEFluoropolymer with low friction
- semiconductorsPartially conductive materials
- gasketsRings that prevent leakage
- sealsAquatic whiskered mammals
electrical insulation · corrosion-resistant · lubricants · waterproofing · Gore-Tex · membranes · films · hydrophobic
Temperature-regulating fluid
- refrigerationHeat removal for preservation
- HFCFluorinated gas abbreviation
- air conditioningIndoor cooling system
- cryogenicsUltralow temperature science
chiller · heat pump · compressor · evaporator · condenser · thermodynamics · heat exchange · nonflammable
Carbon-fluorine chain compound
- hydrofluorocarbonFluorinated cooling chemical
- fluorinationFluorine incorporation process
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- monomerChain-forming molecule
Trademarked cooling compound
- DuPontHistoric American chemical company
- phaseoutGradual discontinuation process
- stratospheric ozoneOxygen variant blocking ultraviolet
- banned substancesMaterials forbidden by law
greenhouse gases
Emissions that trap heat
- ozone depletionProtective atmospheric layer destruction
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
forever chemicals · nondegradable · pollutants · environmental hazard · Kyoto Protocol · stratospheric · tropospheric
Teflon
Nonstick pan coating
- PTFEFluoropolymer with low friction
- semiconductorsPartially conductive materials
- gasketsRings that prevent leakage
seals · electrical insulation · corrosion-resistant · lubricants · waterproofing · Gore-Tex · membranes · films · hydrophobic · oleophobic
coolant
Temperature-regulating fluid
- refrigerationHeat removal for preservation
- HFCFluorinated gas abbreviation
- air conditioningIndoor cooling system
cryogenics · chiller · heat pump · compressor · evaporator · condenser · thermodynamics · heat exchange · nonflammable · cold chain
fluoropolymer
Carbon-fluorine chain compound
- hydrofluorocarbonFluorinated cooling chemical
- fluorinationFluorine incorporation process
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
monomer · copolymer · PVDF · synthetic · electronegativity
Freon
Trademarked cooling compound
- DuPontHistoric American chemical company
- phaseoutGradual discontinuation process
- stratospheric ozoneOxygen variant blocking ultraviolet
- F-gasesHFCs, CFCs, PFCs, hydrofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons
- fluorine compoundsdifluoride, hexafluoride, fluoropolymer, fluoropolymers, sulfur hexafluoride
- Halocarbonsdichloromethane, trichloroethylene, chlorofluorocarbons, CFCs, HFCs
- halogenated compoundsdichloromethane, chloroform, trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, chloroprene
- water repellentswaterproof, water-resistant, hydrophobic, waterproofers, water repellents
fluorocarbonshydrocarbons
Carbon-hydrogen organic compounds
alkanes · methane · natural gas · ethane · petroleum
fluorocarbonsnatural compounds
Chemicals from biological sources
organic matter · plant oils · biomolecules · natural gases · crude oil