Definitions for "Perfluorocarbons"
(PFCs). A group of human-made chemicals composed of carbon and fluorine only: CF4 and C2F6. These chemicals, specifically CF4 and C2F6, (along with hydrofluorocarbons) were introduced as alternatives to the ozone depleting substances. In addition, they are emitted as by-products of industrial processes and are also used in manufacturing. PFCs do not harm the stratospheric ozone layer, but they are powerful greenhouse gases: CF4 has a global warming potential (GWP) of 6,300 and C2F6 has a GWP of 12,500.
Carbon-fluorine compounds that often contain other elements such as hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine. Common fluorocarbons include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and related compounds, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorcarbons (PFCs). They have been used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, cleaning solvents, as well as in the manufacture of plastic foam. CFCs in particular are suspected of causing ozone depletion in the stratosphere. HFCs, which were introduced as alternatives to CFCs and are emitted as by-products of industrial processes and in manufacturing, are powerful greenhouse gases. (Source: Government of Canada Climate Change Site, Glossary of Climate Change Terms)
A group of synthetically produced compounds in which the hydrogen atoms of a hydrocarbon are replaced with fluorine atoms. The compounds are characterized by extreme stability, non-flammability, low toxicity, zero ozone depleting potential and high global warming potential.