Successful Localization of Fluorinated Fluid 'HFE', Previously Fully Imported

KRICT Develops Domestic Technology for
Eco-Friendly Fluorine-Based Fluid Production
Expected to Drive Innovation in Semiconductor, Electronics, and Chemical Industries

A domestic research team has developed a technology to localize an essential industrial raw material for the chemical industry, which has so far been entirely imported, for the first time in Korea.

On June 5, Dr. Sanggu Lee's research team at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology announced that they developed a technology that significantly improves the conversion rate by introducing a special fluorine-based conductive additive into the existing 'electrochemical fluorination method,' which replaces hydrogen (H) atoms in carbon- and hydrogen-based raw materials with fluorine (F). This advancement enables the direct production of 'hydrofluoroether (HFE),' an important industrial raw material and fluorine-based fluid, using domestic technology.

Research team led by Dr. Sang-Koo Lee at Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology. From the left, Researcher Jaemin Cho, Dr. Sang-Koo Lee, Researcher Yeri Kim, Researcher Byungjun Park. Courtesy of KRCT

Fluorine-based fluids are essential chemicals used as coolants and cleaning agents in electronic products, semiconductors, and precision instruments. However, 'perfluorinated fluids,' where all hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine, have a high global warming potential, making it imperative to replace them with eco-friendly fluids to achieve carbon neutrality.

Accordingly, active research is underway to develop eco-friendly materials that can serve as substitutes, with particular attention on 'HFE' materials.

HFE is an eco-friendly material with low global warming impact, low surface tension allowing easy spreading, and excellent electrical insulation properties. It is used as a key raw material in various industries such as semiconductor, electronic devices, and chemical industries, serving as immersion cooling refrigerants, electronic component cleaning agents, and solvent diluents.

The core of the newly developed technology is the 'intermediate'. Using raw materials on the left, the intermediate is manufactured with new technology, and hydrogen fluoride ether is produced from this intermediate. Provided by the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology

The global HFE market was approximately $289.1 million in 2022 and is expected to grow to $396.4 million by 2028 at an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. However, over 90% of the market is monopolized by companies such as 3M and AGC, with domestic companies relying entirely on imports.

Typically, HFE is produced by converting hydrocarbon raw materials into 'intermediates' through fluorination reactions that replace hydrogen with fluorine, followed by alkylation reactions. The synthesis of intermediates is a critical step, and the research team succeeded in more efficient intermediate production by adding a conductive fluorine-based additive not present in existing technologies.

To achieve this, the team designed and manufactured a reactor equipped with a multilayer nickel electrode plate that facilitates smooth electrochemical reactions, establishing a more efficient fluorination reaction environment. After trial runs and precise inspections, they completed a stable electrochemical fluorination device.

While the conversion rate from raw materials to intermediates in existing technologies is around 50-55%, the newly developed technology enables smoother fluorination reactions, increasing the conversion rate to approximately 62-66%. Additionally, the reduction of unnecessary by-products significantly improved HFE productivity, and precise control of the fluorination reaction allows efficient production of high-purity fluorine compounds.

The new technology has been transferred to Pureman Co., Ltd., a specialized manufacturer of refrigerants and fire extinguishing agents, and preparations for full-scale mass production and follow-up research are underway.

Dr. Sanggu Lee of the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology stated, "This research achievement will be an important stepping stone to accelerate technological independence by securing core source technology for fluorine chemical materials, which have high dependence on global companies. Through follow-up research, we will lead advanced material technologies applicable to various industries."