What is NF3 and how does it react in the atmosphere?
NF3 is a man-made gas that – once released into the atmosphere – circulates from the surface to the stratosphere hundreds of times before it is destroyed by solar ultraviolet radiation. The average lifetime of an NF3 molecule in the atmosphere is 550 years. NF3 is nearly chemically inert in the atmosphere, but it is very effective in absorbing the infrared radiation that the Earth emits. By trapping this infrared radiation, NF3 becomes a potent greenhouse gas. In terms of kilograms emitted, NF3 is about 17,000 times more effective as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Q: How is NF3 used to make flat-screen televisions and computers? A: When hit with microwave discharge or a plasma beam, NF3 releases fluorine atoms that are used to clean the chamber in which flat-screen liquid crystal display panels are made. It also can be used to release fluorine to etch and cut the silicon substrate for computer chips. As I understand it, NF3 is used in large volumes in the LCD screen process. Q:
