From its discovery in the 1920s, carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) has found a broad range of uses that take advantage of its distinctive properties. Here are some of the key applications of this inorganic compound:

Electrical Insulation - With its high dielectric strength, CF4 is well suited for insulating high-voltage electrical equipment like transformers and circuit breakers. It is resistant to electrical arcs and has excellent cooling capabilities.

Aluminum Production - CF4 is used to stabilize the carbon anodes in aluminum smelting cells. By forming a protective fluoride layer, it prolongs the life of the anodes which must withstand high heat.

Semiconductor Etching - The semiconductor industry relies heavily on CF4 for the dry etching of silicon wafers during chip fabrication. CF4 creates reactive fluorine radicals ideal for anisotropic etching.

Trace Gas Detection - Ultra-sensitive techniques like electron capture detection use CF4 to detect compounds present in extremely low concentrations. CF4 captures trace electronegative analytes.

Cosmic Ray Detection - CF4 filled time projection chambers enable the detection of neutrinos and other cosmic rays. The ionization trails left by interacting rays are captured by CF4 gas molecules.

From inert gas in transformers to supersensitive laboratory tracer, carbon tetrafluoride leverages its inertness, dielectric properties, and high fluorine content in many productive ways. Nevertheless, its global warming impact requires its uses to be managed responsibly.