Carbon Tetraflouride and its Interactions with Ozone

Carbon tetrafluoride is a byproduct of overheating Teflon beyond a temperature of 1202 degrees Fahrenheit. The substance has a molecular weight of 88 grams per mol. Carbon tetrafluoride is a stable, non-flammable, colorless gas.

Carbon tetraflouride interacts with the ozone layer in a similar fashion with a CFC. The process of ozone depletion starts by carbon tetrafluoride floating up into the ozone layer. When it arrives, the molecule is struck by UV light, seperating a fluorine atom from the carbon tetrafluoride. This fluorine atom collides with an ozone atom in the ozone layer, making a molecule of oxygen and fluorine monoxide.

When a singlet oxygen atom collides with fluorine monoxide, the oxygen replaces the fluorine atom to create a molecule of oxygen and a lone fluorine atom. This starts the process again, causing the deterioration of the ozone layer by turning it into oxygen. Measures have been taken to reduce the amount of CFC emission, but since CFCs have a life span of 20-100 years, previously emitted CFCs will do damage for years to come.