CO2 Laser-Induced Decomposition of Freon 113

Gasgeous freon 113, or CC12FCC1F2, was irradiated with a continous wave carbon dioxide infared laser. The rat of formation of CF2CC1F, a decomposition product, was monitored using an infared spectrometer. The initial rates or product formation were related to irradiation wavelength and power, and the laser induced reaction was related to pyrolysis decomposition. A computer program which calculates the temperatures in a laser beam is modified and applied to the irradiations performed. It is determined that bi- or triphotonic absorption is occuring and that the laser induced reactions are photocatalyzed. A reaction model is discussed which combines thermal excitation, multiphotonic absorption, and collisional vibrational activation