Chemiluminescence from polytetrafluoroethylene

Abstract The chemiluminescence emission from commercial samples of polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE (Halon G‐80 and Halon G‐10), was studied at temperatures between 25 and 172°C. The emission intensity decreased on extended heating, removal of the surface layer, solvent extraction, or changing from an atmosphere of oxygen to an inert atmosphere. Films of PTFE deposited from the vapor phase showed comparatively little chemiluminescence under these conditions. Ozone‐induced chemiluminescence was observed at 37°C from G‐10 but not from G‐80, or from films deposited from the vapor phase. The chemiluminescence intensity from ozone and G‐10 was not reduced by solvent extraction.