ABSTRACT
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are fluorinated alkanes in which all hydrogen atoms have been substituted by fluorine atoms. Lowmolecular-weight perfluorocarbons (up to four carbon atoms) are gaseous at 20°C, whereas larger perfluorocarbons are color-and odorless liquids or solids [1]. Since fluorine atoms are bigger than hydrogen atoms, the perfluoroalkyl chains are bulkier than the corresponding hydrocarbons [2]. In addition, effective overlapping of orbitals as well as fluorine’s high electronegativity render the
C-F bond one of the most stable single bonds in organic chemistry [2, 3]. PFCs are characterized by low cohesion forces resulting in low intermolecular van der Waals forces and thus low surface tension, low viscosity, high density and anti-friction properties. Of note, PFCs have a high density which can reach up to 2 g/mL.
