Perfluorocarbons (or PFCs) are compounds derived from hydrocarbons by replacement of hydrogen atoms by fluorine atoms. PFC is 6500-9200 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere [1], entirely toxin-free, and made up of atoms of carbon, fluorine, and/or sulfur. Hydrocarbons are refined at oil refineries and chemical plants In chemistry, a hydrocarbon is any chemical compound that consists only of the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). ... General Name, Symbol, Number hydrogen, H, 1 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 1, 1, s Appearance colorless Atomic mass 1. ... Properties An atom (Greek άτομον from ά: non and τομον: divisible) is a submicroscopic structure found in all ordinary matter. ... General Name, Symbol, Number fluorine, F, 9 Chemical series halogens Group, Period, Block 17, 2, p Appearance pale greenish-yellow gas Atomic mass 18. ... Carbon dioxide is an atmospheric gas comprised of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. ... General Name, Symbol, Number carbon, C, 6 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 14, 2, p Appearance black (graphite) colorless (diamond) Atomic mass 12. ... General Name, Symbol, Number sulfur, S, 16 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 16, 3, p Appearance lemon yellow Atomic mass 32. ...

Medicine

Perfluorocarbons are commonly used in eye surgery as temporary replacements of the vitreous humor in retinal detachment surgery. The length of the perfluorated carbon chain determines the physical properties of a particular perfluorocarbon. Small chain perfluorocarbons, such as perfluoro-propane, are gases that rise inside the eye and seal retinal holes. Larger chain perfluorocarbons, such as perfluoro-octane, are liquids heavier than water and are used in surgery to immobilize an infolded retina. Eye surgery, also known as ophthalmic surgery or ocular surgery, is a surgical procedure performed on the eye or its adnexa typically by an ophthalmologist . ... Vitreous humour is the clear gel that fills the eyeball, lying between the lens and the retina in the eye. ... Retinal detachment is a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue. ...

Perfluorocarbons are also used in contrast enhanced ultrasound to improve ultrasound signal backscatter. The perfluorocarbons used in the microbubbles of some ultrasound contrast media are liquids at room temperature, but gases at body temperature. The gas-filled microbubbles oscillate and vibrate when a sonic energy field is applied and characteristically reflect ultrasound waves. This distinguishes the microbubbles from surrounding tissues. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEU) is the application of ultrasound contrast agents to traditional medical sonography. ... A baby in its mothers womb, viewed in a sonogram Ultrasound is sound with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing, approximately 20 kiloHertz/20,000 Hertz. ...

Their stability, inertness, low diffusion rate and solubility increase the duration of contrast enhancement as compared to microbubbles containing air. PFC is also being used in artificial blood and liquid breathing. In English, to be inert is to be in a state of doing little or nothing. ... Schematic drawing of the effects of diffusion through a semipermeable membrane. ... A substance is soluble in a fluid if it dissolves in that fluid. ... Blood substitutes are used to fill fluid volume and/or carry oxygen and other gases in the cardiovascular system. ... Liquid breathing is a form of respiration in which someone breathes an oxygen rich liquid (usually from the perfluorocarbon family), rather than breathing air. ...

Industry and the environment

PFC is being used in refrigerating units and "clean" fire extinguishers. However PFCs are hugely potent greenhouse gases and they are a long-term problem with a lifetime up to 50,000 years (PMID 14572085). In a 2003 study, the most abundant atmospheric PFC was tetrafluoromethane (PMID 14572085). Several governments concerned about the properties of PFCs have already tried to implement international agreements to limit their usage before it becomes a future global warming issue. PFC is one of the gases regulated in the Kyoto Protocol. Refrigeration (from the Latin frigus, frost) is generally the cooling of a body by the transfer of a portion of its heat away from it. ... Fire extinguisher A fire extinguisher is a device used to put out a fire, often in an emergency situation. ... Carbon tetrafluoride, CF4, is a carbon fluoride. ... Kyoto Protocol Opened for signature December 11, 1997 in Kyoto, Japan Entered into force February 16, 2005. ...

See also

• Fluorinert - Coolants manufactured by 3M, some of which may contain PFCs
• Fluoropolymer

Fluorinertâ„¢ is the brand name for the line of electronics coolant liquids sold commercially by 3M. It is an electrically insulating, inert perfluorocarbon fluid which is used in various cooling applications but is mainly for cooling electronics. ... Cutting fluid or coolant is liquid used to cool and lubricate the cutting edges of machine tools and the pieces they are shaping. ... This article is about the American company, for the Russian company involved in a pyramid scheme, see MMM (pyramid) 3M Company NYSE: MMM (formerly Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company until 2002) is an American corporation with a worldwide presence that produces over 55,000 products, including adhesives, abrasives, laminates, electronic... A fluoropolymer is a polymer that contains atoms of fluorine. ...

External link

• Perfluorocarbons as a transport for Oxygen to the lungs, e.g. partial liquid ventilation.