The kinetic mechanism of carbon monofluoride ((CF)(n)) decomposition and the products generated in this reaction were studied. Given the non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis curves, nucleation mechanisms for (CF)(n) decomposition were proposed using model-free method. According to the extent of conversion of the reaction, the kinetic process could be described by the two-dimensional Avrami Erofeev equation f(alpha)= 2(1 alpha)[In(1-alpha)](1/2), one-dimensional Avrami Erofeev equation f(alpha)= 1 - alpha and two-parameter Sestak Berggren equation f(alpha)= alpha(m)(1 - alpha)(n) (m = -0.294, n=1.428), respectively. Due to the heterogeneity of the thermal decomposition process of (CF)(n), the apparent activation energy of the thermal decomposition varied with the extent of conversion. In addition, the final decomposition products of (CF)(n) were confirmed to be gaseous CF4 and C2F6, and amorphous carbon via Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography, and the volume ratio of CR4/C2F6 was found to be approximately 12. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.