Infrared laser driven degradation of polytetrafluoroethene

CO₂ laser induced degradation of polytetrafluoroethene yields gaseous tetrafluoroethene, hexafluoropropene and octafluorocyclobutane along with solid polytetrafluoroethene deposited on reactor surface. All the products except octafluorocyclobutane are suggested to arise from primary cleavage of the polymer and the relative amounts depend on incident energy density of laser radiation and added gases. The characterization of solid deposit by scanning electron microscopy and adsorption measurements is presented.