Mechanical Degradation of CHF₃ by Graphite To Achieve Greenhouse Gas Disposal and the Resource Utilization Thereof

CHF3 is a greenhouse gas with little reactivity, ultrahigh global warming potential, and large output as a byproduct of CHF2Cl, a feedstock of the tetrafluoroethene series polymers. Its economical disposal is vital for greenhouse gas abatement and carbon neutrality. Herein, CHF3 is used as a fluorinating agent to prepare graphite fluoride (FG) via a mechanochemical reaction. The reaction arises from high colliding pressure, as verified by the molecular dynamics simulation and thermodynamic analysis, hotspot temperature, increased surface area, and ample radicals of graphite. The structure and properties of the FG were characterized by X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, X-ray absorption fine structure, IR, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The FG is a porous material with varying F-content up to 44%, high specific area (similar to 668 m(2) g(-1)), and superhydrophobicity and shows various potential applications, such as adsorbent, lubricant, electrochemical and oil-water separation materials. This article discovered a sustainable approach for the simultaneous degradation and resource utilization of CHF3 and a greener production process of FGs.