Raman scattering by zigzag fluoropolymer molecules

The Raman spectra of ultrafine powders consisting of F(CF₂)_nF fluoropolymer zigzag molecules treated as a one-dimensional nanocrystal are investigated. These spectra are compared with the Raman spectra of C_nF_2n+1Br compounds (n=6–10 and 14) and fluoroplastics. It is found that the frequencies of optical vibrations of F(CF₂)_nF fluoropolymer molecules are shifted by more than 10 cm^?1 with respect to the relevant frequencies of C₆F₁₃Br molecules. The length of nanoparticles comprising an organofluoric ultrafine powder is estimated to be L=2–2.5 nm. This estimate is obtained from the measured frequency shifts in terms of the vibrational theory for a crystalline diatomic chain of finite length.