Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE / Teflon) ((C₂F₄)n) — Properties, Uses & Safety

Overview

Polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known as PTFE or by its brand name Teflon, is a fluoropolymer with the repeating unit formula (C2F4)n and a monomer molar mass of 100.02 g/mol. Discovered accidentally by Roy Plunkett at DuPont in 1938, PTFE is a white, waxy, non-stick solid at standard temperature and pressure. What makes PTFE extraordinary is the carbon-fluorine bond — one of the strongest single bonds in organic chemistry at about 485 kJ/mol. The fluorine atoms completely surround the carbon backbone, creating a chemically inert, hydrophobic, and incredibly slippery surface. PTFE has one of the lowest coefficients of friction of any solid material, which is why it is best known as the non-stick coating on cookware. Beyond the kitchen, PTFE is used in electrical insulation, gaskets, bearings, medical implants, and even in Gore-Tex waterproof fabrics where expanded PTFE membranes allow water vapor to pass while blocking liquid water. PTFE is stable up to about 260 degrees C in continuous use, though it can decompose at higher temperatures releasing toxic fumes — a safety consideration when overheating non-stick pans. In its solid polymer form, PTFE carries no significant GHS hazard codes. PTFE is chemically resistant to virtually all solvents, acids, and bases, making it invaluable in laboratory equipment and chemical processing. For chemistry students, PTFE beautifully illustrates several key concepts: the exceptional strength and stability of C-F bonds, addition polymerization of fluorinated monomers, the relationship between molecular structure and surface properties like friction and wettability, and how electronegativity differences influence material behavior. Understanding why PTFE is so unreactive connects directly to lessons on bond energy, polarity, and intermolecular forces.

IUPAC Name

poly(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethylene)

CAS Number

9002-84-0

PubChem CID

0

Molecular Formula

(C₂F₄)n

Molar Mass

100.015 g/mol

State at STP

solid

Appearance

White, waxy, non-stick solid