Half-fluorinated sulfide refrigerant

Thermally stable, low GWP

Unlike existing HFC and HFO refrigerants, this molecule achieves both high thermal stability and very low global warming potential through partial fluorination.

Hu, Xiaoyi · Zhang, Mi · Jiale, He · Hou, Hua · Wang, Baoshan

Journal of Physical Chemistry A 2026

Specifications

Decomposition temperature

{'zh': '875', 'en': '875'} K

Bond dissociation energy increase

{'zh': '5-6', 'en': '5-6'} kcal/mol

Atmospheric lifetime

{'zh': '0.2-1', 'en': '0.2-1'} years

Radiative efficiency

{'zh': '0.25', 'en': '0.25'} W m^-2 ppb^-1

100-year global warming potential

{'zh': '9-90', 'en': '9-90'}

Advantages

High decomposition temperature

Partial fluorination strengthens both S-C bonds, raising bond dissociation energies by 5-6 kcal/mol over the unfluorinated molecule and leading to a decomposition temperature of 875 K, higher than many common refrigerants.

Very low GWP

With an atmospheric lifetime of 0.2-1 years and radiative efficiency of 0.25 W m-2 ppb-1, the 100-year GWP is only 9-90, far below conventional HFCs.

Tropospheric degradability

The presence of the CH3 group maintains reactivity toward OH radicals in the troposphere, primarily via H-abstraction to produce H2O and CF3SCH2 radicals, with identified degradation products.

Applications

• low-GWP refrigerants：With GWP of 9-90, it greatly reduces direct greenhouse effect from refrigerant emissions.
• replacement for HFCs：Thermal stability comparable to HFCs with GWP two orders lower, enabling direct replacement.
• replacement for HFOs：Higher decomposition temperature and no alkene double bond avoid environmental concerns from HFO degradation products.
• working fluids for air conditioning and heat pumps：Thermal stability and atmospheric lifetime meet long-term system operation with minimal equipment modification.