The Carbon Dioxide Laser Induced Decomposition of Freon 113

Author

Curtland Chester Brown III, Union College - Schenectady, NY

Date of Award

6-1977

Document Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Chemistry

Language

English

Abstract

The carbon dioxide laser irradiation of Freon 113, 1,1,2 trichlorotrifluoroethane, yielded Freons 11, trichloro­fluoromethane, l2, dichlorodifluoromethane, and 13, chloro­trifluoromethane, along with chlorotrifluoroethylene and unidentified products. Product formation was found to increase as the pressure of the starting material and laser power were increased, although no formal pressure or power dependenry could be determined. The Freon products were identified using a gas chromatograph in the flame ionization mode with a molecular sieve column. Chlorotrifluoroethylene was identified with an infrared spectrophotometer. The buildup of unidentifiPd brown tars was observed on the glass walls of irradiated cells. The pyroysis of Freon 113 has not been thoroughly studied, although chlorotriflouroethylene is known tc be a pyrolytic product. It is proposed that the laser induced products may be similar to the pyrolytic products.

Recommended Citation

Brown, Curtland Chester III, "The Carbon Dioxide Laser Induced Decomposition of Freon 113" (1977). Honors Theses. 1855.
https://digitalworks.union.edu/theses/1855