Breakthrough in next-generation refrigerants: Trifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymers lead a revolution in environmentally friendly cooling technology

In the sweltering heat, we rely on air conditioning to stay cool, and the refrigerant technology that supports this cooling is quietly evolving.

A novel refrigerant material based on trifluoroethylene and ethylene copolymers is quietly driving a technological revolution in fifth-generation refrigerants. As an important downstream derivative of trifluorochloroethylene, this environmentally friendly refrigerant, with its zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and extremely low global warming potential (GWP), is a strong candidate to replace existing high-GWP refrigerants.

With the implementation of the new EU F-gas regulation and the advancement of the Kigali Amendment, the global refrigeration industry is accelerating its transformation towards environmental protection and low carbon emissions.

01 Fluorite Industry Chain: The "Hidden Cornerstone" of Fluorochemicals

Fluorite, this seemingly ordinary mineral, is the starting point of the entire fluorochemical industry and is known as the "rare earth" of the fluorochemical field.

As a non-renewable strategic resource, fluorite is processed into hydrofluoric acid, becoming a key intermediate in the fluorochemical industry chain.

Starting with hydrofluoric acid, the industrial chain is divided into two major branches: one is inorganic fluorides such as refrigerants and lithium hexafluorophosphate, and the other is fluoropolymers such as PTFE and PVDF.

Trichlorofluoroethylene plays a crucial role in this industrial chain, serving as a bridge between basic fluorochemicals and high-end fluoropolymers.

The copolymer of trifluoroethylene and ethylene is one of the high value-added downstream products of trifluorochloroethylene, representing an important direction for the fluorochemical industry to upgrade from basic raw materials to high-end materials.

02 Environmental Mission: The Evolution of the Refrigerant Era

From the initial toxic and flammable ammonia and sulfur dioxide to the emergence of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), refrigerant technology has gone through four generations.

Each generational shift revolves around two major themes: safety and environmental protection.

First-generation refrigerants, such as sulfur dioxide and ammonia, are highly efficient but pose safety risks; second-generation CFC refrigerants are stable and safe, but have been found to cause serious damage to the ozone layer.

While third-generation HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and fourth-generation HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) have made improvements in terms of ozone layer depletion, they still have a high potential for global warming.

Currently, the focus of research and development has shifted to fifth-generation refrigerants—solutions with zero ODP and extremely low GWP.

Trifluoroethylene (R-1123) is a standout in this generational shift. Studies have shown that this material has zero ODP and ultra-low GWP, making it a potential candidate for next-generation air conditioning systems.

03 Material Properties: Advantages of Trifluoroethylene-Ethylene Copolymer

Trifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, as a novel fluoropolymer material, has shown unique advantages in the field of refrigerants.

This copolymer inherits the stability of fluorinated compounds and further optimizes its performance through molecular design.

has not exhibited significant toxicity even under high concentration conditions.

An inhalation exposure study on SD rats found that trifluoroethylene at concentrations up to 200,000 ppm did not cause any clinical signs or histopathological changes in the experimental animals.

Thermal stability and resistance to decomposition are also major highlights of this material. By adding specific inhibitors, researchers have been able to effectively suppress the disproportionation reaction of trifluoroethylene, improving its safety in use.

The copolymer of trifluoroethylene and ethylene also has good solubility and heat transfer properties, making it suitable for use in high-efficiency cooling devices such as automatic cascade refrigeration systems.

04 Hybrid Innovation: Application Strategies of Multi-component Blending

In practical applications, trifluoroethylene is usually not used as a single component, but rather in a mixed system with other refrigerants to balance multiple indicators such as performance, safety, and environmental protection.

The hybrid system of R-1123 with R-32, R-1234yf, and R-290 is one of the most promising combinations currently available.

Researchers have developed accurate models for these mixtures that can reliably predict their thermodynamic properties over a wide temperature and pressure range.

These models exhibit extremely low typical uncertainties —only 0.3% for liquid density, 1.5% for vapor density, and 1% for bubble point pressure (k=2), providing a reliable basis for system design.

In the field of even deeper cryogenic applications, scientists have also explored multi-component mixed refrigerants, including 1,1-difluoroethylene and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propylene, which are suitable for cryogenic temperature ranges from -100°C to -150°C.

These mixed refrigerants all have a GWP value of less than 150, which meets the latest environmental protection requirements.

05 Industry Response: From Laboratory to Market

Faced with imminent environmental regulations and market demands, the global refrigeration industry is actively developing next-generation refrigeration technologies.

The Automotive Air Conditioning Refrigerant Forum, to be held in Beijing in October 2025, brought together representatives from government, academia, and industry to discuss alternative refrigerant technologies.

At the forum, experts emphasized that with the release of the "National Program of China for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (2025-2030)," the innovation of green and low-carbon refrigeration technology has become an important part of the national strategy.

At the industry level, some chemical companies have begun to adjust their product structure, gradually reducing the production of high GWP refrigerants and shifting to more environmentally friendly alternatives.

The EU's new F-gas regulation was released in 2024. From January 1, 2026, refrigerators exported to the EU will be prohibited from using fluorinated substances. This regulation has accelerated the global process of refrigerant replacement.

06 Challenges and the Future: The Path to Industrialization

Despite the excellent performance of trifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymers in the laboratory, their large-scale industrialization still faces challenges.

Material compatibility is a major bottleneck in engineering applications. The refrigerant needs to be well-matched with the system's compressor, lubricant, and other components to ensure long-term stable operation.

Studies have shown that the difference in solubility between trifluoroethylene and lubricants such as polyethylene ether (PVE) directly affects system performance and reliability.

Cost pressure is also a factor that must be considered for industrialization. The synthesis and purification process of trifluoroethylene is complex, resulting in its price being higher than that of traditional refrigerants.

However, with process optimization and large-scale production, this obstacle is expected to be gradually alleviated.

In the future, with the increasing demand for environmentally friendly refrigerants from industries such as electronics, automobiles, and home appliances, the application prospects of trifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymers will be even broader.