Carbon tetrafluoride, with the chemical formula CF4, is an inorganic compound composed of carbon and fluorine.  Here are 4 fascinating facts about this chemical:

Non-Flammable - CF4 is non-flammable and does not support combustion.  This makes it useful as a gaseous dielectric in high voltage equipment like generators or circuit breakers.  It is an effective arc-quenching medium.

Greenhouse Gas - CF4 is one of the most potent greenhouse gases with a very high global warming potential.  Though emitted in small quantities, it can persist in the atmosphere for 50,000 years.  Strict regulations are in place to limit CF4 emissions.

Plasma Etching - The semiconductor industry widely uses CF4 for plasma etching of silicon wafers.  CF4 gas breaks down into reactive fluorine radicals that help etch finely detailed circuits.  It also releases carbon polymers that enhance etching directionality.

Cosmic Ray Detection - CF4's high electron capture cross-section makes it useful for detecting neutrinos and other cosmic rays.  CF4 gas is introduced into time projection chambers to capture trails left by ray interactions.  This enables study of elusive subatomic particles.

With its unique properties, carbon tetrafluoride has secured its place in several niche industrial and scientific applications.  Regulations seek to curb this greenhouse gas, but CF4 remains a versatile compound.